U.S. State Oklahoma Passes Controversial Immigration Bill Criminalizing 'Impermissible Occupation'

The U.S State of Oklahoma House of Representatives recently passed House Bill4156 with a significant majority. The bill, which aims to address concerns surrounding unauthorized immigration, introduces the concept of "impermissible occupation" as a criminal offense. With a vote count of 77-20, the bill was passed in the house. Oklahoma is located in the South Central region of the United States.

Under the provisions of HB 4156, the concept of "impermissible occupation" is introduced as a criminal offense. The bill delineates penalties for individuals found guilty of impermissible occupation The U.S. State of Oklahoma House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 4156 with and categorizes offenses into distinct tiers based on the number of violations.

For a first offense, impermissible occupation is classified as a misdemeanour, with potential penalties including imprisonment in the county jail for up to one year, a fine not exceeding $500, or both. Additionally, individuals convicted under this provision are required to leave the state within 72 hours following their release from custody The U.S. State of Oklahoma House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 4156 with.

Subsequent violations escalate to felonies, subjecting the offenders to more severe penalties, including potential imprisonment of up to two years, fines of up to $1,000, or both. Similar consequences apply, with individuals mandated to leave the State within the specified timeframe.

In addition to addressing unauthorized immigration, HB 4156 also targets individuals who have previously faced removal from the United States and subsequently attempt to enter or re-enter Oklahoma without authorization. Law enforcement agencies are tasked with collecting identifying information for individuals arrested for impermissible occupation, which is then cross-referenced with criminal databases by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

What is 'Impermissible Occupation'?

Impermissible occupation, as defined in legislation such as House Bill 4156 in Oklahoma, refers to the act of a noncitizen entering and remaining in a state without legal authorization. It describes the presence of individuals within the State's borders who do not have the necessary permission or legal status to reside or work there.

Similar Laws

Similar to House Bill 4156 in Oklahoma, several other U.S. States have enacted or proposed legislation aimed at addressing unauthorized immigration within their borders. Notably, Texas and Iowa have passed laws with provisions resembling those found in HB 4156.

In December 2023, the Texas Legislature passed a Texas-style immigration bill, which shares similarities with HB 4156. This legislation, signed into law, also introduces penalties for impermissible occupation and targets individuals who enter and remain in Texas without legal authorization. The Texas law lays down misdemeanour and felony classifications for offenses related to unauthorized immigration. Additionally, similar to Oklahoma's legislation, the Texas law includes provisions for law enforcement to collect identifying information of individuals arrested for impermissible occupation.

Similarly, in March, Iowa passed a comparable immigration law, further illustrating the trend of States taking action on immigration issues. The Iowa legislation, like HB 4156 and the Texas law, defines impermissible occupation as a criminal offense and delineates penalties for offenders.

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