Bill HB1804

The following report from the field is brought to us by Rev. Dr. LuisCarlos Sanchez in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Bill HB1804, which went into effect Nov. 1, 2007, which:

• Bans illegal immigrants from state government identification.
• Ends most public assistance and entitlement benefits for illegal immigrants
• Authorizes state and local law enforcement officials to enforce federal immigration law
• Penalizes employers for knowingly hiring illegal immigrants.
• Penalizes anyone who knowingly transports or conceals or shelters illegal immigrants.
• Anyone suspected or arrested is declared a felon and faced up to 5 years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines.

Rev. Dr. LuisCarlos writes:

“The law is not the issue nor the spirit of the law. The issue is with the spirit behind the law."

This bill is disrupting families, lives, and the community. It is giving green light for unscrupulous individuals and groups to express their hate and racial biases. It is fomenting an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. It is taking away dreams, and tearing at the fabric of all that is good and sacred in the founding principles of this nation.”

How is this happening?

Some agencies have begun an all-out dragnet stopping and demanding proof of citizenship at checkpoints and traffic violation stops.

People unable show any proof such as US passport or birth certificate are being sent to the County jail and a hold placed on them until Homeland Security clears them. When there is no clearance, they are immediately deported without any due process or access to an attorney. We have mounting reports from families of their loved ones missing. For the most part we have been unable to help as the jail (for reasons of national security, as they claim, will not release any information on whether they are holding the individual or not. Some who have been arrested have yet to report back to their families from their countries of deportation that they arrived safely. And here is no way under the present circumstances that anything can really be done in most cases.

The targeting of individuals (brown skin -- racial profiling) is now an every day occurrence. Even Native Americans are also reporting being stopped at random more than ever before.

People (Latino for the most part here in Tulsa) are being picked up as they walk out of grocery stores, church services, dropping off their kids at school, or simply driving/walking to and from work places. The fear is so great among these people that they have begun to keep their kids from going to school, dropped church attendance and worship practices. Some Latino pastors/ministers have reported to us that they have had to take another job and in some cases close their church and hold services in their homes for the very few that dare show up.

An estimated 25,000 people have been reported to have left Tulsa city and county alone. People are leaving Oklahoma period, many going back home and many trying to survive, are going to other more lenient states. The picture is not as clear-cut as the politicians and radicals try to make it. There are too many family variations in the mix. Some of undocumented have US-born children. Some legally here have their spouse, parent, family member they are supporting or helping. These people face criminal charges as of Nov. 1st, and would rather get out this state.

• People are withdrawing their moneys from local banks. Accounts dropping down 30 to 40%.
• Businesses that catered to the Latino community are also closing right and left according to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
• The whole Latino community including those of us who are here legally are feeling disenfranchised, with a sense of not belonging. Many who have been here over 20 and 30 years, now feel unwelcome.
• The law has created ripples of division and suspicion. It is fomenting hatred and prejudice. Some landlords have taken it upon themselves to demand their Latino residents show proof of legal residency or face non-renewal of their housing contract and/or evictions.
• Some extreme white supremacist groups have even posted rewards for each suspected undocumented person’s residences so that they can formally pressure the authorities to make the arrests and deportations.
• These groups have already stated publicly, that they are ready to step in where law enforcement does not have the funding/staffing to do this job. In other words they are ready-vigilantes.
• Raids have been reported on some businesses and will likely intensify as of Nov. 1st.
• There are plans to build a major detention facility in this city, not unlike what is now in place in Tacoma, WA, and other locations throughout the country.
• Faith groups are working together to try to offer support and solidarity with these people whose only crime is to try to survive and offer a better life for their families. To be now dehumanized by calling them and those who will offer a helping hand "CRIMINALS," is an immoral and criminal act in itself. There is a growing and blatant disregard for human rights and human dignity. Racism appears to be embedded in the collective consciousness of this state and region. And it is becoming an uphill challenge to try to curb it, much less dismantle it.”