Clergy Say Oklahoma’s New ID Law Is Unconstitutional

TULSA (CN) - Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry and Attorney General Drew Edmonson plan to institute an unconstitutional ID program on Nov. 1, the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and others claim in Federal Court. Edmonson signed the unconstitutional HB 1804 into law in May. It requires the plaintiffs, including employers, "to participate in the federal status verification system" before hiring or offering services to people who may be undocumented immigrants.

Plaintiffs say the state has no authority to do this, that their church membership is declining because parishioners fear arrest, and that clergy could be arrested and prosecuted for failing to check the immigration status of people they help. They claim the bill's language, "federal status verification system," is unconstitutionally vague, and that the bill's sponsor, state Rep. Randy Terrill, acknowledged HB 1804 is unconstitutional, by his statement, "It would be just fine with me if we exported all illegal aliens to the surrounding states" - a power not granted to the State of Oklahoma Plaintiffs say the bill will injure children, the aged, the sick, workers, employers and others. They want it enjoined. They are represented by Rohit Sharma. See complaint.

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