McCall unveils details of his Oklahoma illegal immigration bill

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Speaker Charles McCall on Thursday announced details of his bill to curb illegal immigration.

He said the bill will address “impermissible occupation” in the state. Anyone is in the state illegally would face a misdemeanor and $500 fine, said McCall, R-Atoka.

It gives violators 72 hours to leave the state, he said.

A second offense would be a felony with a fine of up to $1,000 and up to two years in prison, McCall said.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation will maintain the database of all contacts made, McCall said.

“This bill does not allow for deportation, but it is intended to discourage illegal immigration in the state of Oklahoma,” McCall said.

Oklahoma will be working with other states in the region, he said. He expects those states may pass similar legislation.

“We will be able to combat this issue more effectively if states in the region all work towards a solution,” he said.

It will also send a message to Washington, D.C., McCall said.

The administration is refusing to deal with the issue, forcing the states to take action, McCall said.

“I know every state in our region is dealing with this,” he said.

The Biden administration announced earlier this year that it had reached a bipartisan border agreement, however Republicans refused to advance it.  

Oklahoma officials also worked with national level organizations to craft the legislation, he said.

McCall said his office consulted with Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s office and believes this is a constitutional approach to tackle illegal immigration. 

Drummond has asked lawmakers to quickly pass legislation to let local law enforcement arrest illegal immigrants.

Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, said the measure was “absolutely necessary.”

McCall said he expects to file the language next week.

The bill is aimed at curbing the public safety issues the state is facing, McCall said.

Those issues include human and drug trafficking, he said.

“If you have federal permission to be here, this law does not apply to you,” McCall said.

The issue is not just at the southern border, he said.

McCall announced in March that he would file the legislation.

A Texas measure, Senate Bill 4, passed in 2023, lets state law enforcement arrest and deport migrants who enter the state illegally. The new law is subject to a legal challenge.

Oklahoma in the past has sent members of the Oklahoma National Guard to help secure the border at the request of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

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