‘Set us back for many years to come’: Police groups, citizens cast doubt on newly-signed immigration law

OKLAHOMA CITY (KSWO) - The Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police and Metro Law Enforcement Agency Leaders released a joint statement casting doubt on a newly-signed state immigration law, saying it conflicts with many law enforcement practices already in place.

Law enforcement leaders from across Oklahoma, in both state and municipal governments, were not heavily involved in the crafting of the immigration bill, according to the joint statement. The two groups went as far as to say the new law, which takes effect July 1, places crime victims at risk.

“Law enforcement leaders from state organizations and municipalities were not substantively involved during the process of drafting and signing HB4156 into law,” the groups wrote. “This bill places crime victims at risk by increasing the fear of reporting to law enforcement. Further, HB4156 brings forth legal challenges in fair and impartial policing and anti-racial profiling.”

Toward the end of the statement, the groups talked about the emotions immigrant communities in the state are feeling ahead of the bill going into effect.

“We recognize the many immigrant communities within our state who are fearful and uncertain about their futures,” the groups wrote. “This law has the potential to destroy the connections and relationships we have built within our local immigrant communities and set us back for many years to come. We are committed to maintaining trust and communication between law enforcement and all immigrant communities as we navigate the future.”

Today, May 15, many took to the Oklahoma capitol to participate in a rally against the bill. Today is marked as Hispanic Cultural Day at the Capitol.

The Oklahoma House Democrats posted pictures to social media after several members spoke at the rally.

Earlier this year, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond urged the state legislature to produce an immigration bill after the Supreme Court showed hesitancy on halting a similar Texas measure.

Quickly after the urging, the legislature produced such a bill and got it through both chambers before Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed it. Drummond released a statement full of praise after the state Senate passed the measure.

“The State Senate sent a clear message today that public safety is a priority in Oklahoma,” Drummond said. “The Biden Administration has been utterly derelict in its duty to enforce federal law. If the president won’t secure the nation’s border, then our state must step in to protect Oklahomans. I appreciate President Pro Tempore Treat and Speaker McCall for their swift work on this bill and I encourage Gov. Stitt to sign it into law.”

However, despite the quick moving nature of the bill, not all state legislators were on board with it.

Oklahoma Democratic Sen. Michael Brooks (D-OKC) was one of the elected officials at the forefront campaigning for a more comprehensive approach to the topic of immigration.

“I attempted to offer language that would have given us the opportunity to address this issue in a meaningful, bipartisan way, empowering the state of Oklahoma to succeed where the federal government has failed to address key issues,” Brooks said. “We could have provided the framework to give a state ID or driver license to those individuals who comply with specific requirements, including paying state and federal income tax, verifying their identity with the state, registering their address, and submitting a fingerprint to the largest law enforcement database in the nation.”

One Southwest-based legislator, Sen. Jessica Garvin (R-Duncan), voted for the bill and said it will help keep Oklahoma safe.

“Immigration is top of mind for many Oklahomans as we see an unprecedented number of illegal immigrants crossing our nation’s Southern border, bringing illicit drugs and criminal activity that pose a threat to our public safety,” Garvin said. “My grandparents legally immigrated to the United States from Mexico and went through the naturalization process to become citizens. Their journey is emblematic of the appropriate pathway to citizenship, and the majority of legal immigrants want others to come here through the proper channels as well.”