Life in Jail for Immigrant Criminals

Oklahoma Republican Representative Justin Humphrey has submitted a bill for legislation to create a new charge for undocumented immigrants who commit a crime in the state. This additional charge would carry a sentence of life behind bars or the option of deportation. Humphrey’s idea would do the opposite of what Governor Stitt wants to do by bringing more undocumented immigrants into Oklahoma’s jails. The last attempt to pass immigration policy by Oklahoma’s GOP is currently in legal limbo. House Bill 4156, signed by Stitt in April, created a crime called “impermissible occupation” for willfully entering the state without legal authorization to be in the United States. A first offense would be a misdemeanor punishable by one year in county jail, a fine of up to $500 or both. The person would be required to leave the state within 72 hours. Implementation was put on hold by a federal judge, pending legal challenges.