OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Governor Henry today signed a sweeping immigration reform bill that was passed overwhelmingly by the Oklahoma Legislature, but described it as a stopgap measure until the federal government takes action on the issue.
Among other things, the bill contains employment, labor law and civil rights provisions to protect citizens and legal immigrants who lose their jobs at companies that employ illegal immigrants to perform the same or similar work.
Beginning in November, public agencies will be required to use a program that screens Social Security numbers to make sure they are real and that they match up with a job applicant's name.
Private companies will be required to use the program starting next July.
The governor urged lawmakers to closely monitor the impact of the bill to make sure it does not have unintended consequences.
To read House Bill No. 1804 click here.
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4/16/2007 State Senate Approves Sweeping Immigration Legislation
4/19/2007 Hispanics Speak Out Against Immigration Legislation
5/1/2007 State House Sends Immigration Reform Bill To The Governor
5/1/2007 Hispanic Leaders Say State Immigration Bill Will Not Work
5/2/2007 Governor Henry Still Undecided On Immigration Reform Bill
5/8/2007 Controversial Immigration Bill Signed Into Law