Clerics Oppose Proposed State Immigration Policies

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma clerics are renewing their opposition to a proposed state crackdown on illegal immigrants.<br/><br/>Bishop Floyd Shoenhals of the Oklahoma/Arkansas Synod of the Evangelical

Thursday, April 27th 2006, 6:22 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma clerics are renewing their opposition to a proposed state crackdown on illegal immigrants.

Bishop Floyd Shoenhals of the Oklahoma/Arkansas Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church says he feels obligated to stand against those seeking tougher penalties for undocumented workers.

Legislation approved in the Oklahoma House that supporters say would stop illegal immigrants from receiving tax-supported services was killed in the state Senate.

Moore Republican Randy Terrill has vowed to resurrect the measure by inserting its language into a state Senate-passed measure.

The clerics say immigration policy is a federal issue and denounced Terrill's proposal, describing it as -- quote -- "unduly severe."