The suit alleges that the law is unconstitutional and violates rights to due process for undocumented immigrants, who are listed as "John Doe" or "Jane Doe" in the list of plaintiffs.
Posted on 10/16/2007 6:30:43 AM PDT by JustaCowgirl
The National Coalition of Latino Clergy filed a federal lawsuit Monday against Gov. Brad Henry and Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, seeking to overturn House Bill 1804, a strict new state law against illegal immigration.
The suit alleges that the law is unconstitutional and violates rights to due process for undocumented immigrants, who are listed as "John Doe" or "Jane Doe" in the list of plaintiffs.
"The leaders and people behind House Bill 1804 are guilty of ethnic cleansing," said the coalition's president, the Rev. Miguel Rivera, at a press conference outside the federal court building.
The Rev. Victor Orta II, the president of the American Dream Coalition, said the suit was no reason for celebration.
"It is a sad day for our state," said Orta, a Tulsan. "Upon celebrating our centennial, we have to present a lawsuit on an issue like this.
"It is a bad law when children born in America are at home this morning from school because they're afraid."
The suit comes as no surprise to HB 1804's co-authors, Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, and Sen. Jim Williamson, R-Tulsa.
The bill is constitutional and will stand, both said.
Terrill said the lawsuit's allegations were "so absurd, outlandish and preposterous and almost laughable if they weren't so despicable."
"I am not worried in the least."
Paul Sund, a spokesman for Henry, declined to comment until state lawyers can review the suit.
Rivera said the suit named Edmondson as a defendant because he hasn't acted on requests to consider the law's constitutionality through an attorney general's opinion.
Charlie Price, a spokesman for Edmondson's office, said several requests had been made for opinions on the law.
He said initial responses were sent to five representatives mentioned in the lawsuit. The responses said that the Attorney General's Office needed more time to review their requests.
Rivera said time is of the essence for illegal immigrants concerned about the law, which is to go into effect Nov. 1.
The local attorney for Rivera's coalition, Rohit Sharma, said a request for an injunction to stop the law from taking effect on that date would be filed Tuesday.
I think that the RICO laws will be an EXCELLENT tool for LEO’s. If you catch a suspected illegal alien, run their name through ICE and if it comes back illegal, seize all their money and assets. After all, the money and assets were most likely gotten illegally. Use the money to fund their deportation and to give the LEO’s an incentive to catch more of them.
“Terrill said the lawsuit’s allegations were “so absurd, outlandish and preposterous and almost laughable if they weren’t so despicable.”
“I am not worried in the least.””
Guts!!
“Those who immigrate here and want to radically change America-— CLEAR OFF!!”
BUMP
To the Latino Clergy: Hezbollah and Hamas are sneaking over the border to kill/convert ALL of us.
I’m so excited I just can’t hide it!
Okie’s got b-lls (and bills!) The passage is the PROUDEST I have ever been to be born and raised in Oklahoma. Yee Haw! Hillary says when she’s elected she will send envoys around the globe to say “Cowboy politics are over”. Okies say “Neigh to the old gray mare and her potential illegal voters”
GOD, I LOVE THIS COUNTRY!
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