State of Oklahoma Archives: on Immigration
Kevin Stitt:
Supports border protection; opposes sanctuary cities
Stitt said, "First off, I support President Trump. We've got to have strong borders in our state. Like the mayor said, we've got to know who's coming into our country. "But I do not believe in sanctuary cities. We have to be a state of laws.
And as governor I will enforce laws. I will enforce the immigration laws. We will not have sanctuary cities. We'll have to tell our law enforcement that they're going to have to enforce the laws."
Source: The Oklahoman on 2018 Oklahoma Gubernatorial race
Jul 21, 2018
Chris Powell:
Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens"?
A: Support.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Oklahoma Governor candidate
May 15, 2018
Joe Maldonado:
Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens"?
A: Yes.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Oklahoma Governor candidate
May 15, 2018
Drew Edmondson:
Don't back federal government deporting DREAMers
Democratic candidate Drew Edmondson said that he would see no compelling reason to help the federal government deport so-called "Dreamers" if he is elected governor. "I don't know if that's still going to be an issue in January 2019 or not, but that is
an area where I would see no compelling reason for the state of Oklahoma to assist federal authorities in taking action that we might not feel is just," Edmondson said at a forum on the campus of the University of Arts and Sciences of Oklahoma.
Source: The Oklahoman on 2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial race
Mar 8, 2018
Mick Cornett:
Says the term "sanctuary cities" is a manipulative label
Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett said President Trump and his Cabinet should pay more attention to the details of their immigration policy rather than threatening "sanctuary cities," which mayors said was an imprecise term used to stir up fears among
voters. "We're not interested in some label that seems to be generated by people outside the mainstream for some political or manipulative effect," said Cornett, who will soon finish his term as president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
Source: Politico.com on 2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial race
Mar 29, 2017
Mike Workman:
Comprehensive immigration reform plus path to citizenship
Workman's campaign issues are all in the right place: he's for income equality, a $15 minimum wage, expanding the Affordable Care Act with the goal of eventual universal coverage, comprehensive immigration reform including a path to citizenship, and
automatic voter registration. He's unapologetically pro-choice and in favor of common sense gun laws, although in Oklahoma he might get farther by advocating the sale of assault rifles to fetuses.
Source: Wonkette.com on 2016 Oklahoma Senate race
Jun 26, 2016
James Inhofe:
Protect the borders; prevent illegal entry
Question topic: Government should enforce laws designed to protect the border and to prevent illegal entry of persons into the country.
Inhofe: Strongly Agree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Oklahoma Senate race
Sep 30, 2014
Matt Silverstein:
Opposes housing refugee immigrants in military facilities
Today Senator Jim Inhofe was forced to face his flip-flop on immigration when questioned about his 2008 vote to house immigrants in military facilities. Recently, Inhofe has sharpened his attacks on the practice of using U.S. military installations to
house immigrant children who are fleeing violence and exploitation. Only today was he forced to come clean that he had indeed voted for the law that put them in those military facilities.Contrary to his previous position, Inhofe now purports to see a
host of ills stemming from the protection of these compromised children. "Senator Inhofe was part of the problem that created this situation in the first place, and now he is running and hiding from his own vote as a U.S. Senator," said
Matt Silverstein, Democratic Nominee for U.S. Senate. "What Senator Inhofe is failing to tell voters is that the law he voted for is the real cause of this border crisis."
Source: 2014 Oklahoma Senate campaign website, MattForOklahoma.com
Jul 22, 2014
Joe Carr:
Refugees cost millions in school & medical costs
Joe Carr has been arguing that Tennessee's refugee population is bad for the state because they cost us money. So, they commissioned a study. The estimates show Tennessee taxpayers spent $40 million last year to educate school-age refugees and $26
million to cover those on TennCare. But refugees remit more than $103 million in taxes.That sure sounds like refugees add a lot to our state. But Carr is now dismissing the study, saying, "We don't know if it's flawed." Apparently one of the flaws is
that the study doesn't take into account how many immigrants might be in prison.
Well, it costs roughly $25,000 a year to house a prisoner. We also know that there are roughly 21,000 inmates in our prisons--0.3% of the population. Even if 1% of all
refugees were incarcerated--more than triple that rate--that would cost Tennessee $14 million. Even if we take out the money for our hypothetical prisoners, refugees in general are still making a huge positive economic contribution to the state.
Source: Nashville Scene on 2014 Oklahoma Senate debate
Nov 14, 2013
Jim Bridenstine:
Secure the borders to stop movement of narcotics and slaves
Q: Do you support allowing illegal immigrants, who were brought to the US as minors, to pursue citizenship without returning to their country of origin?A: No.
Q: Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration law by state and local police?
A: Yes. The laws of the US must be enforced unless they are changed by legislative process. We must secure the borders of the United States so that illegal movement of persons, narcotics, slaves and weapons across the border is stopped.
Source: Oklahoma Congressional 2012 Political Courage Test
Oct 30, 2012
Joe Dorman:
Constitutional amendment for English as official language
Dorman voted YEA on HJR 1042, English as Official State Language, Joint Resolution Passed House (66-32).Vote to pass a joint resolution that submits a constitutional amendment to the voters that designates English as the official language of the
State of Oklahoma:- Mandates that official actions of the state be conducted in English.
- Specifies that the state may use languages other than English for official actions if such use is essential to do any of the following:
-
Teach or encourage the learning of languages other than English;
- Protect the public health and safety;
- Teach and use sign-language for the deaf and hard-of-hearing or braille for blind or sight-impaired;
- Comply with federal law;
-
Protect the rights of victims of crime and criminal defendants;
- Promote trade, commerce and tourism;
- Promote relations with Native American tribes or organizations; and
- Create or promote mottos or designations, or inscribe public monuments.
Source: Vote Smart's Synopsis of Oklahoma Legislative voting records
Mar 11, 2009
Scott Inman:
Constitutional amendment for English as official language
Inman voted YEA on HJR 1042, English as Official State Language, Joint Resolution Passed House (66-32).Vote to pass a joint resolution that submits a constitutional amendment to the voters that designates English as the official language of the
State of Oklahoma:- Mandates that official actions of the state be conducted in English.
- Specifies that the state may use languages other than English for official actions if such use is essential to do any of the following:
-
Teach or encourage the learning of languages other than English;
- Protect the public health and safety;
- Teach and use sign-language for the deaf and hard-of-hearing or braille for blind or sight-impaired;
- Comply with federal law;
-
Protect the rights of victims of crime and criminal defendants;
- Promote trade, commerce and tourism;
- Promote relations with Native American tribes or organizations; and
- Create or promote mottos or designations, or inscribe public monuments.
Source: Vote Smart's Synopsis of Oklahoma Legislative voting records
Mar 11, 2009
Andrew Rice:
Opposes Mexico Totalization Agreement & benefits to illegals
Q: If the President signs the final Executive Totalization Social Security Agreement with Mexico it could lead to Social Security benefits going to individuals who worked in the
U.S. while illegal. Do you support the Totalization Agreement?A: Yes, I would oppose the President signing this agreement.
Source: Senior Citizens League Guide to 2008 Oklahoma Senate Debate
Oct 10, 2008
Joe Dorman:
Criminalize assisting or employing illegal aliens
Dorman voted YEA on HJR 1042, SCS HB 1804, Immigration Reform, Bill Passed House (84-14).Vote to pass a bill that establishes laws and regulations regarding immigration in the State of Oklahoma.- Makes it a felony to transport or conceal
undocumented immigrants with knowledge of the immigrant's illegal presence in the US
- Requires that applicants present valid evidence of their legal status in the US in order to be issued identification cards
- Requires that every public employer and
their contractors register with an approved employment eligibility verification system
- Places liability on employers who discharge US citizens from employment while retaining undocumented immigrants in a job requiring equal skill, effort,
responsibility
- Prohibits individuals unlawfully present in the US from receiving resident tuition or financial aid unless the individual has resided in the state for a least two years and provides a pending application for legalized status.
Source: Vote Smart's Synopsis of Oklahoma Legislative voting records
May 1, 2007
Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021