Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma signs comprehensive immigration enforcement bill House Bill 4156, aiming to address security concerns attributed to federal policy failures.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
In response to what is described as a national border crisis, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican, has officially signed House Bill 4156 into law. The legislation, which becomes effective on July 1, introduces stringent measures against residing in the state without legal U.S. authorization.
A first-time breach of this law is classified as a misdemeanor, with consequences including up to a year in jail or a fine of $500, as outlined in the text of the legislation. For those repeatedly violating the law, charges escalate to felonies, potentially resulting in up to two years in jail or fines as high as $1,000. Individuals found guilty are required to leave Oklahoma within 72 hours following their release from custody.
In a press release, Governor Stitt attributed the need for this law to the failures of the Biden administration, stating, “We cannot sit idle as threats to our safety are on the rise due to the Biden administration’s complete failure to offer even minimal protections. We have an obligation to keep our communities safe.” He further defended the law against criticisms of targeting the Hispanic community, clarifying that Oklahoma does not enforce ‘stop and identify’ regulations.
This legislative action places Oklahoma among a cadre of Republican-led states taking immigration matters into their own hands, often mirroring measures enacted in other states. For instance, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a similar law last year, currently suspended due to a lawsuit by the Biden’s Department of Justice challenging state-level immigration actions.
Other states, including Florida, Iowa, and Tennessee, have passed similar laws, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signing bills that increase penalties for illegal residents involved in criminal activities or driving infractions, and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee requiring local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.