OKPOLICY.ORG
Welcome to this week’s immigration-focused newsletter, where we recap the latest developments on this legislative session’s slate of immigration related bills.
In early April, the Legislature passed a budget, and word is that they are planning to gavel out of session by May 7, which would be three weeks earlier than planned. This means that the timeline of bills we are watching could be faster than expected, so as always, keep an eye on OK Policy’s Immigration Bill Tracker to stay up to date with the latest developments.
State Developments
Bills that have passed out of committee have until May 7 to pass off the floor. SB 1633 could be heard at any moment, so be sure to keep an eye on the House floor agenda.
- SB 1633 by Brenda Stanley – Passed Education Oversight committee 7-2.
- The bill removes a provision that allowed students who graduated from Oklahoma high schools and resided in the state with their legal guardian to be eligible for in-state tuition, even if they couldn’t provide documentation of U.S. citizenship or immigration status.
- You can watch the Senate committee meeting here and the floor hearing here.
- You can watch the House policy committee here and oversight committee meeting here.
Next Steps
SB 1633 has until May 7 to be heard on the floor.
Ways to get involved
Reach out to legislators to let them know how you want them to vote on SB 1633. Below are some potential speaking points to help you during your conversation with legislators.
- SB 1633 is headed to the House floor, click here to find your Representative.
- Forcing Oklahoma students to pay out-of-state tuition would more than double the cost of attending college and effectively prevent hundreds of perfectly qualified students from attending.
- Oklahoma has the fifth-lowest share of degree holders in the country; it is against the state’s best interest to make it harder for our students to get a higher education.
Don’t know who your legislator is? Find them here.
Other notable immigration news
The news stories included in this section may be distressing to readers. While it is important to stay informed on the changes to immigration policy that affects our friends, family, and neighbors, it is also important to take care of yourself. We advise being intentional about engaging with news media and taking breaks as needed. Now more than ever it is important to practice resilience and stay rooted in community.
State
- Republican delivers pro-immigration farewell speech to Oklahoma House [The Oklahoman]
- As Opposition Grows, Oklahoma Organizers Share How They Halted an ICE Warehouse [Truthout]
- Oklahoma Senate blocks Trump-backed immigration bills [The Oklahoman]
Federal
- Trump signs bill funding DHS, ending record-breaking 76-day shutdown [CBS News]
- Ending Birthright Citizenship Would Cost US Economy $7.7 Trillion [American Community Media]
- Justice Department makes it easier to deport those with DACA status [NPR]
- Immigrants from travel ban countries wait in limbo in U.S. [NPR]
- These Haitian immigrants contribute nearly $6 billion to the economy. Their fate is in the Supreme Court’s hands [CNN Business]
- Salvadorans watch as US Supreme Court considers Temporary Protected Status [AP News]
- Trump administration mandates enhanced security checks for immigration applicants [CBS News]
- Appeals court rules against ICE’s mandatory detention policy [POLITICO]
- U.S. deportees sent to Congo face conflict, uncertainty and fear [NPR]
- Anchorage boy’s deportation hinges on proving a US citizen is his father [Alaska Public Media]
- Federal court lets Texas immigration law take effect [The Texas Tribune]
- Trump Immigration Agenda Upends West Texas US Attorney’s Office [Bloomberg Law]
- Houston schools see fewer newcomer students amid ICE crackdown [The Houston Chronicle]
