Oklahoma Representative Gabe Woolley, representing Broken Arrow, is pushing for stricter immigration controls with two proposed bills. According to the Oklahoma House of Representatives release, Woolley's bills aim to prioritize legal citizens for employment and improve transparency in public education funding and enrollment.
The first bill, House Bill 1962, requires all employers in Oklahoma to use an electronic verification system when hiring new employees to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the U.S. Woolley, along with co-author Rep. Jim Shaw, argues that the bill is essential to prevent the employment of undocumented workers. "Oklahoma jobs should go to Oklahoma citizens and legal workers first," Woolley saidin the same release.
The second bill, House Bill 1165, focuses on the education system. It requires a declaration of citizenship status upon enrolling students in publicly funded schools. Woolley says the bill is not meant to restrict education, but to gather data for informed policy-making. "Our public schools are funded by Oklahoma taxpayers, and we need full transparency in enrollment to understand what impact illegal immigration has on our education system. When the people of Oklahoma know exactly where their tax dollars are going, they can continue to work with their elected officials to better our state," Woolley said in a statement obtained by the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
"These bills reinforce that Oklahoma is serious about enforcing immigration laws and protecting our citizens from the economic burdens of illegal immigration," Woolley said in the release. The bills are set to be considered in the legislative session beginning on Monday.
