OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Republican-led states are rushing to give broader immigration enforcement powers to local police and impose criminal penalties for those living in the country illegally as the issue of migrants crossing the U.S. border remains central to the 2024 elections.
The Oklahoma Legislature this week fast-tracked a bill to the governor that creates the new crime of “impermissible occupation,” which imposes penalties of as much as two years in prison for being in the state illegally.
Oklahoma is among several GOP-led states jockeying to push deeper into immigration enforcement as both Republicans and Democrats seize on the issue. That was illustrated in February when President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump both visited the U.S.-Mexico border the same day and tussled from a distance over blame for the nation’s broken immigration system and how to fix it.
A portrait by Gustav Klimt has been sold for $32 million at an auction in Vienna
Inside 'the best premium economy cabin in the WORLD': The Mail tests out EVA Air's award
Inside Thailand's last untouched island: Empty beaches, authentic villages, mangrove forests
New wonders of the world! The crowd
Former Wisconsin college chancellor fired over porn career is fighting to keep his faculty post
Top scientist warns AI could surpass human intelligence by 2027
World's biggest bridges revealed after collapse of colossal Baltimore landmark
'Forget the Algarve!' Travel experts reveal breathtaking lesser
Come fry with me! The UK's cheapest and priciest airports for a full English breakfast revealed