Oklahoma law restricting illegal immigrants upheld

Washington Times:

The nation's strictest immigration crackdown went into effect this week in Oklahoma after a federal judge refused Hispanic and immigrants rights groups' attempt to block it.

The new law prevents illegal aliens from getting driver's licenses, denies them every possible public service or benefit not required by federal law, gives state and local police the ability to enforce immigration laws and, beginning next year, requires employers to check new employees' identities through a federal database.

"It is the toughest state-level immigration reform bill in the nation," said state Rep. Randy Terrill, the Republican who wrote House Bill 1804, which became law on Thursday. "The judge has effectively validated this approach, and he has effectively given the green light to other states to begin to proceed with measures that are similar to House Bill 1804."

As important as the new law was this week's decision by U.S. District Judge James H. Payne, who rejected immigrants rights groups' request for an injunction. In his ruling on Wednesday, Judge Payne said the groups didn't have any evidence to support their claims of harm.

The judge allowed the law to take effect while the case proceeds. The parties will be back in court next week.

It was the second time Judge Payne rejected a challenge, and Mr. Terrill said that's a testament to how carefully the law was drafted not to step on federal agencies' toes or to discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity.

"Opponents to House Bill 1804 have now had more than six months to plaintiff-shop, forum-shop and judge-shop to try to find someone who's sympathetic to their cause. They haven't had much success," Mr. Terrill said.

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They vow to continue forum shopping. What is interesting about the bill is how it has caused self deportation to increase significantly in Oklahoma. It disproves the opponents of enforcements contention that you can' deport them all, by showing that they will do it themselves if the law is enforced. Enforcing the law and then permitting controlled immigration is the best way to handle this situation. Offering amnesty will only encourage illegal activity and lessen respect for the rule of law.