albuquerque – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arizona, San Diego, Imperial County, Colorado, Missouri, Arkansas, and Kansas provides civil rights and constitutional guidelines for traveling within the states. It issued an advisory warning residents about the threat of rights violations. Oklahoma after passing extreme anti-immigrant laws.
Oklahoma's new law, HB 4156, makes it a crime to enter and remain in Oklahoma if you enter the United States illegally. It is also a crime to re-enter Oklahoma after being ordered removed from the United States.
This law would put everyone in Oklahoma at risk, as it would put Oklahoma residents, including travelers, lifelong undocumented Oklahomans, and residents of neighboring states, at risk of arrest and incarceration. Become. The law also increases the potential for racial profiling by law enforcement officers untrained in complex federal immigration law.
“HB 4156 is an attack on immigrants everywhere. By assuming unconstitutional immigration enforcement powers, the Oklahoma government threatens immigrants who have lived and worked in our communities for decades. It is also a threat to New Mexicans who are undocumented, have mixed-status families, or who are simply targets of poorly trained local law enforcement officers who are intent on racial profiling.” said the ACLU of New Mexico border and immigration policy advocate Leonardo Castañeda. “That's why the states surrounding Oklahoma and across the border don't want this law as a warning to their residents and Oklahomans who believe that immigrants should be treated humanely and not as political pawns. We are issuing this recommendation in solidarity with
Countless residents of Oklahoma's neighboring states have family members and loved ones who could be put at risk by this law, which threatens their civil liberties. This joint travel advisory highlights the solidarity of Oklahoma's surrounding communities against punitive and counterproductive policies that harm immigrant communities and do nothing to welcome those seeking safety and refuge. .
People traveling to Oklahoma are advised to remain calm if stopped by police and are encouraged to immediately exercise their right to an attorney or otherwise remain silent.. Detailed guidance is outlined in the travel advisory here (link will take you to the ACLU of New Mexico's website).
