Undocumented immigrants

A Tulsa-based nonprofit is working to reshape how Oklahomans think about immigration, not through politics, but through personal stories.

U.S. Sen. James Lankford is backing President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard to Los Angeles amid protests over immigration enforcement actions by federal agents.

HB 4156, enacted last year, created the state crime of “impermissible occupation,” threatening fines and jail time for immigrants living in Oklahoma without legal residency.

When it comes to immigration and deportations, Oklahoma’s senior senator agrees with the president in some areas — but not all of them.

The Greater Tulsa Area Hispanic and Latinx Affairs Commission officially opposes a bill that would charge undocumented immigrants accused of any crime with a felony in Oklahoma.

Gov. Kevin Stitt is launching Operation Guardian, which aims to prepare the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and all tiers of law enforcement to deport hundreds of unauthorized immigrants arrested for crimes unrelated to their immigration status.

He said his legislation would give prosecutors discretion, and they could use it to “target those people who are really criminals.”

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in a press release Tuesday that he’s against a new federal immigration process meant to keep families of mixed statuses together. He’s filed an amicus brief against it in a federal court case in Texas.

Critics say effort is fear mongering

Gov. Kevin Stitt’s signature on House Bill 4156 means Oklahoma joins the handful of other states trying to change the status quo of American immigration enforcement.