How Republican-led states far from the US-Mexico border are rushing to pass tough immigration laws
By SEAN MURPHY
Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma is the latest Republican-led state to impose criminal penalties for those who reside in the state illegally. Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill on Tuesday that makes being in the state illegally punishable by up to two years in prison. Oklahoma is one of several Republican-led states jockeying to push deeper into immigration enforcement. A Texas law that would allow the state to arrest and deport people who enter the U.S. illegally is on hold while a court considers it. Similar proposals have been passed or considered in Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa and Tennessee.
