Everybody thinks immigration reform is the feds’ problem and that states just have to sit and wait for Washington to do something. Well, they don’t. Take Oklahoma, for example. Gov. Brad Henry recently signed into law a measure designed as a stopgap until the feds get their act together..
Among other things, the bill contains employment, labor law and civil rights provisions to protect citizens and legal immigrants who lose their jobs at companies that employ illegal immigrants to perform the same or similar work.
Beginning in November, public agencies will be required to use a program that screens Social Security numbers to make sure they are real and that they match up with a job applicant’s name.
Private companies will be required to use the program starting next July.
Newsbusters points out that the Oklahoma bill has gotten very little mainstream media coverage since it emphasizes enforcement instead of amnesty for lawbreakers.
