Oklahoma Bill 1804

Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act of 2007

Under the new immigration law, employers can only hire verified and documented legal residents

By JD Morrison

The following Oklahoma members of the State House of Representatives and Oklahoma State Senate are indeed friends of the Oklahoman's they represent. Their courage and efforts drove thru the controversial bill 1804 that will place roadblocks for the illegal alien workers in the state of Oklahoma.

They are of the House:

Terrill, Sullivan, Key, Duncan, Banz, Coody, Cooksey, Dank, Derby, Faught, Hickman, Inman, Johnson (Rob), Kern, Liebmann, Martin (Scott), Martin (Steve), McCullough, McDaniel (Randy), Murphey, Peterson (Ron), Proctor, Sears, Tibbs, Worthen, Johnson (Dennis), Peterson (Pam), Reynolds and McMullen

and of the Senate:

Williamson, Sykes, Corn, Ivester, Adelson, Brogdon, Jolley, Johnson (Mike), Reynolds, Aldridge, Bingman, Brown, Crain, Ford and Wilcoxson

House Bill 1804 doesn't just go after those who are illegally employed, the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act of 2007 will also target those who hire them.

Under the new law, employers must verify the legal resident status of all new employees through a verification system. It also makes it illegal to fire a legal resident and allow an illegal to stay on the job. Employers who ignore the law could end up paying for it down the line in regard to discrimination to authorized workers.

Employers will use verification systems through Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. State employers and subcontractors have until November 1st, 2007 to enroll for the verification system, the deadline for private companies however is July 1, 2008.

Governor Brad Henry expressed doubts regarding the new legislation. The Oklahoma Governor did sign the bill into law however.

Report Source:

http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/2007-08bills/HB/HB1804_ENR.RTF

Originally published 05.10.2007 in the Independent Gazette.