By AP
Oklahoma City, OK – Okla. immigration chair sees little need for law
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The new chairman of a joint legislative committee on illegal immigration says he sees no pressing need in Oklahoma for more legislation on the issue, prompting outrage from hard line proponents of illegal immigration reform.
Following a House interim study on Thursday, state Rep. Charles Ortega said he heard no evidence supporting the need for broad immigration-related reforms.
The Altus Republican says he intends to keep studying the issue and possibly address concerns of law enforcement about immigration-related crime.
State Rep. Randy Terrill, a harsh critic of illegal immigration, called the joint committee a "joke" and says the real purpose is to block any meaningful efforts to crack down on illegal immigration.
Terrill sponsored a sweeping anti-illegal immigration bill four years ago that has been the subject of a federal lawsuit.