The business provisions of House Bill 1804, Oklahoma’s anti-illegal immigration legislation, may actually help Oklahoma weather the effects of any impending recession, State Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, said Friday.
With the exodus of illegal immigrant workers, jobs should be more available to legal residents, he told Norman Chamber of Commerce members and guests.
However, business groups like the state Chamber of Commerce see it differently. They recently filed a federal lawsuit challenging the new law. Provisions requiring employers that do any business with the state to verify all workers’ legal status kick in July 1. Businesses say the crackdown has robbed contractors of many workers.
“Big business has profited handsomely from the abundance of cheap, illegal labor,” Terrill said.
A frustrated Norman hotel owner in the audience told Terrill he couldn’t find enough service workers to run his business.
“Who is going to do these jobs? I need 10 employees today,” Doug Kennon said, noting he couldn’t find legal residents to take the jobs.He said there were 400 such openings in Norman alone. It used to be college students filled such jobs but not any more, Kennon said.
“I think that’s insulting. There’s not a job in the world that an American won’t do,” Terrill responded.
The issue of illegal immigration continues to be listed as a priority on many public opinion polls. Terrill said it costs the state about $200 million in direct costs each year and untold indirect costs.
“We have thousands of illegal immigrants that are coming across our borders daily and in some instances tunneling under it. It is a huge and growing problem,” he said.
Terrill said if he were in Mexico with his wife and kids he might also try to come here illegally. The exodus keeps Mexico from solving its own economic and political problems.
He said the failure of the federal government to secure the borders makes it as much of a state issue as a national one. In response to a question, he said Oklahomans couldn’t afford to provide services to illegal residents.
“We’re not that wealthy and we sure can’t afford to be the welfare capital of the world,” he said.
Terrill said the legislation is nationality-neutral and was supported overwhelmingly by the Oklahoma House and Senate.
“I don’t have any problem with immigrants. I have a problem with illegal immigrants,” he said. “It’s not about Republicans and Democrats. It’s about right and wrong.”
Asked about the humanitarian aspect of the legislation, Terrill said there are safeguards built into the bill.
“We’re not going to kick them to the curb. We’re going to help them up and hopefully expedite their return to their native country,” he said.
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