TULSA — Labor unions, the American Civil Liberties Union and advocates for immigrants are among a diverse coalition joining business groups in their court battle against parts of Oklahoma's House Bill 1804.
The coalition has submitted arguments to the federal appeals court in Denver against the employment-related parts of the law.
It joins the Tulsa, Oklahoma state and national chambers of commerce, which were successful in June in having a judge bar state officials from enforcing those parts.
The state officials have asked the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals to restore the provisions U.S. District Judge Robin Cauthron in Oklahoma City ruled in June are pre-empted by federal law.
Much of the opposition is focused on the part of HB 1804 that requires employers doing business with the state to use a voluntary federal worker verification system.
The opposition claims the electronic system is unreliable and that the law unfairly imposes penalties on employers failing to use the "E-Verify" program.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce says the diverse opposition is united by the belief that states should not be setting immigration policy, which should be left to the federal government. The national chamber took the lead in challenging the employment sections of the law.
"The emerging patchwork of conflicting state immigration laws is creating a national crisis," said Robin Conrad, executive director of the national chamber's public policy law firm, in a written statement.
The labor unions' opposition comes through a federation known as Change to Win, which includes the national and international unions of Teamsters, laborers, service employees, carpenters, farm workers and food and commercial workers.
Lawyers in the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office are defending the law.
State News
HB 1804 law foes are diverse
- State News
-
-
The great debate over fracking
The nation’s long-term energy future offers no free lunches or gain without pain, two geoscientists said Tuesday in a University of Tulsa debate on the merits of hydraulic fracturing.
-
Oklahoma Senate Republicans release legislative agenda, goals include income tax cut
Senate Republicans released a legislative agenda Tuesday similar to that of Gov. Mary Fallin, but short on details.
-
WPX reports proved reserves grew 9 percent for year
Tulsa-based oil and gas producer WPX Energy Inc. reported Monday that total proved reserves at year’s end grew 9 percent over 2010.
-
Tribal leaders respond to request to end lawsuit
Any realistic hope Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin had leaders of two southeastern Oklahoma Indian tribes would acquiesce to her request to drop a lawsuit over water rights were dashed Monday evening.
-
Oklahoma Legislature: Pair is again filing bills
The only two lawmakers who didn’t introduce any legislation last year have returned to the Capitol this year with plenty of offerings.
-
Lawmakers talk taxes
For the Oklahoma Legislature, the only certainty in 2012 is that tax policy will be the focus for much of the session that starts Monday. -
Family of man who committed suicide in jail files lawsuit
One and a half years after their son died in the Payne County Jail, Ron and Thora duBois have filed a federal lawsuit against county officials and the corporation that provides health care to county jail inmates.
-
Oklahoma DHS director resigns effective Feb. 29
In a tear-filled statement, Oklahoma Department of Human Services Director Howard Hendrick announced Tuesday he would be stepping down from the agency Feb. 29.
-
Oklahoma’s jobless rate steady at 6.1 percent
Oklahoma’s jobless rate held steady at 6.1 percent in December, according to reports Tuesday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.
-
Report: Corrections reforms could save state $249 million
A public safety report released Wednesday recommends more supervision for offenders once they are released, additional resources for police and more beds for those with mental illness.
- More State News Headlines
-
The great debate over fracking
