State Capital News Service

OKLAHOMA CITY-- Undocumented immigration became a lightning rod of debate in many of last year's legislative elections, and some Cleveland County legislators are now trying to prove that it wasn't all talk.

Members of Cleveland County's legislative delegation expressed frustration with the federal government this week for what they perceive as an inability to keep illegal immigrants from entering America, or to deal effectively with those who are already here.

"The federal government has failed in its mission to curtail illegal immigration," said state Rep. Paul Wesselhoft (R-Moore). "When that occurs, the state has to assume the responsibility."

Although the regulation of immigration is primarily a federal responsibility, efforts to enact comprehensive reform have stalled in Congress. In the absence of federal action, many states are attempting to impose their own changes.?

Last year, more than 550 immigration bills were filed in state legislatures across the country, and more than 75 became law, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Oklahoma appears to have a relatively small population of undocumented immigrants -- an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 out of a nationwide total of 11 million. But that is not stopping state lawmakers from responding to public clamor for reform, particularly in the absence of broad federal legislation.

So far this session, at least 11 measures addressing immigration have been introduced in the Oklahoma Senate, and eight in the House.

"The federal government needs to do more," said state Sen. Jonathan Nichols (R-Norman). "The federal government certainly has the responsibility to do all they can to reduce and work toward eliminating illegal immigration."

Nichols said Washington needs to step up the resources it devotes to enforcement of undocumented immigration. When the federal government falls behind, he said, the state owes it to its citizens to pick up the slack.

Picking up the slack is what state Rep. Randy Terrill (R-Moore) has in mind with a sweeping immigration reform bill (HB 1804) he recently introduced.

Terrill is already known for his hard-line posture on undocumented immigration, and his new bill only reinforces that reputation. Terrill has declared his intent to enact "the toughest immigration reform bill in the nation."

His bill would, among other things, deny tuition breaks, food stamps, child care benefits and other state assistance to undocumented immigrants. The bill also would attempt to deter identity theft and voter fraud, and make it a state crime for illegal immigrants to reside in Oklahoma.

Terrill isn't just going after undocumented immigrants. He also has his sights set on those who hire them: His bill would impose criminal and civil penalties on businesses that knowingly employ undocumented workers.

Wesselhoft said he supports the targeting of employers.