A federal judge granted a motion on Friday to temporarily halt Oklahoma’s new anti-immigration law, which may make it illegal to reside in the position without obtaining legal immigration status.
The U.S. Department of Justice requested a preliminary injunction to go into effect while their complaint is pending. U.S. District Judge Bernard M. Jones granted it. The rule would have become effective on Monday.
The lawsuit in federal judge in Oklahoma City challenges the measure, which makes living in Oklahoma without legal immigration standing a state crime punishable by up to two years in prison. The Justice Department is also challenging the identical laws that were passed in Texas and Iowa.
The Oklahoma legislation, according to the Justice Department, is in violation of the United States Constitution and requests that the court invalidize it and forbid the state from enforcing it.
In the judge’s Friday ruling, the judge states that Oklahoma “may possess natural frustrations with the problems caused by improper immigration,” but that” the State does not follow policies that violate federal law.”
Attorney General of Oklahoma Gentner Drummond called the decision upsetting and claimed that it was important because the Biden administration was not ensuring the country’s borders.
” We intend to appeal the decision of today’s court order and support one of our most powerful resources,” Drummond said.
The American Civil Liberties Union’s Newcomers ‘ Rights Project staff attorney Omar Zafar claimed the law was dangerous and that it could rip off Oklahoman families and communities.
” The courtroom was right to block it”, Zafar said. ” This judgement is a success”.
