Court rules Okla. can't enforce immigration laws

[Ulrich]

Oklahoma was one of the first states in the country to fight back hard against illegal immigration. The state passed a series of tough enforcement laws that included prohibiting companies in the state from firing legal workers while the businesses continued to employ undocumented workers.

The law was set to be enacted in 2007, but ran into a buzz saw of opposition. The courts upheld enforcing the measures.

Now today, an appeals court has handed a major decision, ruling that key parts of the immigration control law are not enforceable.

An appeals court ruled Tuesday that Oklahoma cannot enforce two employment provisions in House Bill 1804, the state's immigration control law, but allowed a third employment part of the law to be enforced.

The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals 3-0 upheld a preliminary injunction against provisions that:

*Prohibit firing of workers legally in the country while retaining workers illegally in the country.

*Require businesses that contract with individual private contractors to obtain documentation that the individuals are authorized to work or, without documentation, withhold taxes at the top rate.

The court's action on those two provisions means they will not be enforced, pending further legal action.

The court overturned a preliminary injunction against enforcement of a third part of the law. That portion requires employers to use a federal computer system to verify eligibility of job seekers. The provision only affects businesses that contract with government entities for physical performance of services, such as building roads or bridges.

Tulsa World: Court: Oklahoma cannot enforce some HB1804 provisions