Opponents pin hopes on federal, state courts

The Norman Transcript

April 15, 2008 12:23 am

— Provisions impacting business implementation of HB 1804 take hold in less than three months. Opponents of the law are hoping state or federal courts will intervene and stop enforcement of the law. Efforts to stop it with other legislation has stalled.
Two lawsuits -- one filed in an Oklahoma City federal court and one in state court in Tulsa -- are pending. The Oklahoma City lawsuit was filed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other groups. Their argument is one we've supported all along: Immigration is a federal issue and should be dealt with by the national government, not all 50 states.
Attorney General Drew Edmondson has asked U.S. District Court Judge Robin Cauthron to dismiss the lawsuit. The Associated Press reports Chamber of Commerce officials expect a hearing on the lawsuit to be held soon.
A state court judge in Tulsa heard oral arguments on a lawsuit that challenged the state's right to establish a bureau of immigration. The lawsuit, filed by a law professor, argues the state constitution forbids such an agency.
If either court fails to stop the state law from moving forward, provisions will go into effect July 1. Employers will be required to verify the status of all employees through a federal online program. It also opens the door to legal action against employers who hire illegal workers ahead of U.S. workers.