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A message from League of United Latin American Citizens



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View as web page:

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LULAC DENOUNCES OKLAHOMA'S ANTI-IMMIGRANT AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL HB4156
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Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) strongly
condemns Oklahoma's HB 4156 and its supporters, who are prioritizing political
expediency over the well-being of vulnerable migrant populations, particularly
innocent children and victims of despicable human trafficking.

Cristian Zapata, President of LULAC OKC #19002
"HB4156 represents an escalation of discriminatory rhetoric and fear-mongering
policies that fail to provide reasonable solutions to issues of immigration.
Instead, this bill increases the risk of racial profiling, perpetuates fear and
anxiety within the community, and threatens to marginalize our Hispanic community
further."

Nicole Maldonado Vice-President of LULAC OKC #19002
"HB 4156 is a cruel bill that fails to address the immigration issue. Instead, it
will increase racial profiling, create a chilling effect, and bring anxiety and
fear to our communities. The language of this bill is overly vague and open to
interpretation. It is clear this bill was introduced during an election year, as
Republicans often exploit the immigrant community for political gain. Immigrant
rights are human rights; we deserve respect and dignity. We come to this country
for better opportunities and contribute in countless ways to our society.
Immigrants make Oklahoma better."

HB4156 hurts Oklahomans in several ways:

Fueling Profiling and Community Division: HB 4156 introduces the offense of
impermissible occupation, allowing individuals to report their neighbors for
suspected illegal presence based on alleged statements. This provision grants law
enforcement the power to apprehend and detain these individuals until they can
prove their legal right to reside in the country. However, this opens the door to
racial profiling, increasing the likelihood of unjust targeting of specific
communities based on ethnicity or appearance. Apart from exacerbating tensions
within communities, such profiling raises serious legal and ethical concerns,
potentially leading to legal challenges and erosion of trust in law enforcement.

Unclear Enforcement Guidelines for Minors: HB 4156 lacks adequate protections for
minors and remains ambiguous in its treatment of both minors and adults. This
ambiguity has left many parents concerned about sending their children to school,
fearing they could be mistaken for adults and face arrest.

Human Trafficking Victims and Survivors of Domestic Violence: Under HB4156, human
trafficking victims and survivors of domestic violence are at risk of arrest and
detention in county jails, undermining their safety and the presumption of
innocence. This measure may deter crime victims from seeking help and
simultaneously strain law enforcement resources by increasing responsibilities
without providing allocated funding or resources.

Constitutional Violations by H.B. 4156 on Immigration Enforcement: H.B. 4156
represents yet another effort by a state to overstep federal jurisdiction on
immigration enforcement, directly contravening the Supremacy Clause of the U.S.
Constitution and established case law. Just as Texas's contentious SB4, which
introduced new state offenses, faced legal challenges, H.B. 4156 may encounter
similar scrutiny on constitutional grounds."

Pending U.S. Court of Appeals Decision on a Similar Bill: The implementation of
Texas's S.B.4, slated for early March this year, has faced delays due to
conflicting court rulings, resulting in a temporary block. Despite efforts by the
U.S. Justice Department and advocate groups, the law remains in limbo. While the
U.S. Supreme Court deferred involvement until the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
deliberates on its constitutionality, a final ruling is pending. This bill
proposes a new state crime, "impermissible occupation," targeting undocumented
individuals with fines and jail time, similar to laws in Texas, Florida, and
Iowa, sparking debate on immigration enforcement's legality and impact.

Economic Impact: Immigrants, representing 7% of Oklahoma's labor force, play
vital roles in agriculture, construction, and hospitality. They bring Oklahoma
produce and meats to our tables and staff restaurants, and contribute to home
construction and repair. Despite 33,000 undocumented immigrants paying roughly
$26 million annually in state income tax, HB 4156 exacerbates our existing
workforce shortage, leading to substantial tax revenue losses. Moreover, the bill
risks driving away workers and consumers, impacting local economies and fostering
an unwelcoming atmosphere regardless of immigration status.

Economic and Cultural Contributions of Immigrants: Immigrants are not adversaries
to the state of Oklahoma; instead, they are indispensable pillars of its economic
vitality. According to a 2021 study by the American Immigration Council, the
nearly 70,000 undocumented immigrants in Oklahoma inject over $5.5 billion into
the economy and contribute more than $1.7 billion in tax revenue. These figures
underscore the significant impact of the over 200,000 immigrants residing in
Oklahoma, many enterprising entrepreneurs, stalwart business owners, and vigorous
community advocates. Furthermore, it's imperative to recognize that over 40% of
Oklahoma City residents are non-white, vividly illustrating the profound
diversity and cultural richness immigrants bring to the state's tapestry.

The ongoing uncertainty surrounding enforcement has created widespread confusion
and fear within the immigrant community across the U.S., leaving individuals
anxious about the implementation of the law. Recognizing the need for clarity,
LULAC has developed a "Know Your Rights" handout to inform individuals about
their legal and civil rights, which will be published soon.

LULAC recognizes the unfortunate significance of Oklahoma's HB4156 and its
potential to establish a precedent for adoption in other states. Therefore, LULAC
reaffirms its unwavering commitment to opposing this unjust bill and supporting
the U.S. Justice Department. We will vigilantly monitor legal developments and
steadfastly advocate for the civil rights of Latinos, regardless of immigration
status, in Oklahoma and throughout the nation.

# # #

About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and
oldest Hispanic civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic
Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC,
with 535 Councils and 145,000 members across the United States and Puerto Rico,
LULAC’s programs, services, and advocacy address the most important issues for
Latinos, meeting the critical needs of today and the future. For more
information, visit www.LULAC.org [ [link removed] ] .















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