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The KRMG Morning News Blog

Illegal Workers Busted

By
Joe Kelley, Host of the KRMG Morning News
@ April 24, 2008 6:45 AM
Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

From News on 6 -

An anonymous tip on Wednesday morning led to a bust in Mayes County. Deputies arrested 10 undocumented construction workers. But the arrests are already stirring up controversy.

The News On 6's Jeffrey Smith reports deputies say it was one of the biggest illegal worker busts on record for them. But Hispanic leaders say it sets a dangerous precedent and it all comes down to how you interpret a controversial phrase of a controversial law.

Oklahoma's tough new immigration law allows police to arrest immigrants if they can't show documentation. It's one of the toughest in the country.

Hispanic leaders are furious. They say if you aren't breaking a law, then there's no probable cause. And he says the law is being applied unequally.

"Why didn't they arrest the owner of this construction company? Why are they just taking these 10 guys? Why didn't the sheriff take the owner of the company? He's just taking the 10 guys?" said Lantos.

"We have them fill out the I-9, we abide by the law, they furnished their proof of citizenship, and, they are documented according to us," said Marcia Davenport who is the owner of D&D Interiors.

The owner of the company where the illegal's worked says they have documents for every worker.

"We're not trained to sit there and look at the documents and tell if they're authentic or not, as far as we know they are. You know, we're just a small company, trying to get by," said Davenport.

The law, the employers and the workers are now at different ends of the spectrum when it comes to what 1804 should mean.

Sheriff Cantey says because of Wednesday's tip they'll be spending more resources on finding illegal workers.

Of course, some Oklahomans would argue against this claim:

Hispanic leaders are furious. They say if you aren't breaking a law, then there's no probable cause. And he says the law is being applied unequally.

By definition, being illegally in the state, isn't that breaking the law? That's a major point of contention for many Oklahomans.

On the lighter side, story reminded me of this viral video:



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What others are saying

  • Illegal Workers
    Joe Kelley mentioned on morning news that these men said they didn't have their "papers" with them. Why not? A resident alien card is about the size of a driver's license; we're all required to keep our driver's licenses with us when we drive. How hard would it be for them to carry their resident alien cards/green cards?

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