OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — On Friday, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction, effectively halting the implementation of House Bill 4156, a contentious law that would have empowered Oklahoma law enforcement to arrest individuals based on their immigration status. The law, set to take effect on July 1, has faced opposition from various organizations, including The Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police, Metro Law Enforcement Agency Leaders, and state legislators.
On May 15, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) sent a letter to Governor Kevin Stitt and Attorney General Gentner Drummond, warning of potential legal action if HB 4156 were enforced. Despite this warning, Drummond reaffirmed the state’s intention to implement the law, prompting the DOJ to file a lawsuit against Oklahoma on May 21.
The preliminary injunction order, referencing a precedent from the Arizona case (567 U.S. at 416), stated, “Oklahoma may have understandable frustrations with the problems caused by illegal immigration…but the State may not pursue policies that undermine federal law. Should more explicit guidance foreclose that conclusion, this Court will listen.”
Attorney General Drummond expressed his disappointment with the ruling in a statement issued on Friday afternoon. “While today’s court ruling is disappointing, I will not stop fighting for Oklahoma and our right to protect our borders,” Drummond said. “The Biden Administration’s complete failure to enforce federal immigration laws made House Bill 4156 a necessity. We intend to appeal today’s decision and defend one of the most powerful tools we have to fight the criminal activity largely being fueled by illegal aliens in Oklahoma.”
This legal battle highlights the ongoing tension between state and federal authorities over immigration enforcement. The ruling underscores the federal government’s primacy in setting immigration policy and reflects the judiciary’s role in ensuring state laws do not conflict with federal mandates. The forthcoming appeal promises to further this debate, as Oklahoma seeks to assert its perceived right to address immigration-related issues within its borders.
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