OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma has passed a new anti-immigration law that would criminalize non-legal immigration status; however, a federal judge has granted a request to halt enforcement of the bill for the time being.
Judge Bernard M. Jones of the United States District Court granted the preliminary injunction that the United States Department of Justice had asked for, thus it will remain in place pending resolution of their challenge in court. Monday was the scheduled day for the bill to go into force.
A federal court in Oklahoma City is currently hearing arguments against the bill that would make it a state felony to reside in Oklahoma without lawful immigrant status. The proposed punishment for this offense is up to two years in prison. The Justice Department is also challenging legislation that was passed in Iowa and Texas that are similar.
The United States Department of Justice has asked the court to invalidate the Oklahoma Act and prevent the state from enforcing it, arguing that it violates the United States Constitution.
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Oklahoma “may have understandable frustrations with the problems caused by illegal immigration,” the court wrote in Friday’s judgment, but “the State may not pursue policies that undermine federal law.”
While expressing disappointment with the decision, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said that the statute is essential in light of the Biden administration’s inability to ensure the safety of the country’s borders.
A powerful tool at our disposal will be defended, and we expect to appeal today’s ruling,” ABCNEWS stated.
The bill, according to Noor Zafar, a staff attorney with the Immigrants’ Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union, is damaging and could cause communities and families in Oklahoma to fall apart.
“The court was correct in its decision to prohibit it,” Zafar informed. “The verdict is in our favor.”