Anti-amnesty signatures to be delivered to Oklahoma governor Thursday, with press conference to immediately follow

By: Bill Hahn
November 1, 2007

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Local JBS leader will deliver nearly 2,700 signatures opposing illegal alien amnesty

For Immediate Release
Contact Bill Hahn, Public Relations Manager
920-225-5606, bhahn@jbs.org

OKLAHOMA CITY – October 31, 2007 — Clark Curry, local leader of The John Birch Society, will deliver nearly 2,700 signatures collected in opposition of illegal alien amnesty, 11:00 AM, Thursday, November 1, which is the same day the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act of 2007 becomes law. A press conference will be held immediately after delivery of the signatures to Gov. Brad Henry’s office at the Capitol building.

This is in response to the 1,100 pledges of resistance to the new law, which were delivered Tuesday of this week by Sacred Heart Catholic Church parishioners. Curry stated, "The people of the great state of Oklahoma have taken a giant step forward to protect the critical public resources available to legal, taxpaying citizens by passing the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act of 2007. Now they want to see it carried out."

The new law helps to keep illegal aliens from receiving public assistance by requiring proof of citizenship or valid visas before being able to get government identification, such as a driver license. Those charged with a felony or with driving under the influence will have their citizenship verified or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will be notified. The law also makes it illegal to transport or harbor illegal immigrants. Public employers and their subcontractors have to register into a Basic Pilot Program to verify the work authorization status of all new employees.

The law itself reads that "the State of Oklahoma finds that illegal immigration is causing economic hardship and lawlessness in this state and that illegal immigration is encouraged by public agencies within this state that provide public benefits without verifying immigration status. The State of Oklahoma further finds that illegal immigrants have been harbored and sheltered in this state and encouraged to reside in this state through the issuance of identification cards that are issued without verifying immigration status, and that these practices impede and obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration law, undermine the security of our borders, and impermissibly restrict the privileges and immunities of the citizens of Oklahoma. Therefore, the people of the State of Oklahoma declare that it is a compelling public interest of this state to discourage illegal immigration by requiring all agencies within this state to fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities in the enforcement of federal immigration laws. The State of Oklahoma also finds that other measures are necessary to ensure the integrity of various governmental programs and services."

"While there are those that claim we cannot deport all the illegal aliens," Curry said, "it’s clear to the state of Oklahoma that we won’t be catering to their needs any longer and in the resulting environment, they will merely deport themselves."

Since 1958, the John Birch Society, headquartered in Appleton, Wis., has been dedicated to restoring and preserving freedom under the U.S. Constitution. Members come from all walks of life and are active throughout the 50 states on local, regional and national levels. United by a strong belief in personal freedom and limited government, plus a sense of duty, members have played a continuous, pivotal role in halting legislation and federal policies that threaten the independence of our country and the freedom of American citizens. Visit JBS.org for more information and see why JBS continues to fulfill its founder's vision of less government, more individual responsibility, and — with God's help — a better world.

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