Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt (R-OK) is taking measures into his own hands as the Biden border crisis continues to plague states as millions of illegal immigrants enter the United States daily.
As the Biden Administration fails to secure the southern border, Stitt signed House Bill 4156 into law this week, making it illegal to reside in Oklahoma without legal authorization to be in the U.S.
“I am disappointed this bill is necessary. Since President Biden took office in 2021, more than 10 million people have poured over the southern border,” Stitt said in a statement.
The governor stressed that residents in the state are concerned that with the number of illegal aliens— including Chinese nationals and those associated with terrorist organizations— crime is lurking in every corner of Oklahoma and waiting for an opportunity to bring harm to the state.
More from Stitt’s statement:
My sole aim is to protect all four million Oklahomans, regardless of race, ethnicity, or heritage. I love Oklahoma's Hispanic community and I want to ensure that every law-abiding citizen has the opportunity to pursue the American Dream. Let me be clear – there is no tolerance for racism or discrimination against any community in our state. I want our Hispanic community to rest assured that this law does not give law enforcement the authority to profile individuals or question them about their immigration status without reasonable suspicion of a crime. Furthermore, this is an opportunity for our state to continue to find solutions where the federal government has failed. That is why I am launching the Oklahoma State Work Permits and Visas (OSWPV) Task Force to find ways to bolster our workforce and create opportunities for those who are here contributing to our communities and economy. As I've said many times, governors should have more authority over the H1-B visa process so we can better address the workforce needs of our economies. This task force will be a step in that direction. Via Fox 23 News.
Those caught violating the law will have 72 hours to leave Oklahoma and face a misdemeanor charge, punishable by up to a year in jail or a $500 fine. A second or subsequent violation would make it a felony, punishable by as much as two years in prison or a fine of up to $1,000.
Oklahoma was part of the 14 states that deployed National Guard troops to the southern border to assist Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R-TX) Operation Lone Star.