Oklahoma Immigration Bill Halted by Judge

On Tuesday, a federal judge in Oklahoma City suspended the state’s implementation of a legislation that makes it illegal for foreigners to remain in Oklahoma without proper residence for a period of two weeks. Last year, the statutory offense of “impermissible occupation” was established by House Bill 4156.  From June until March, when President Donald Trump’s administration abandoned his Democratic predecessor’s lawsuit against the law, Federal District Judge Bernard Jones delayed the implementation of HB 4156. This month, the case was refiled by two Oklahoma-based organizations and two unauthorized immigrants who reside in the state.  Jones concurred, as he did the previous year, that their legal challenge to HB 4156 is likely to be successful. In his ruling on Tuesday, he stated that the U.S. Supreme Court has consistently determined that immigration control is solely within the federal government’s jurisdiction.  Jones discovered that state laws are likely to be superseded by federal law on this matter.  Jones’ ruling prevents the rule from being enforced until June 3; however, the injunction may be prolonged.
 

Source: Oklahoma Voice