New Law Doesn't Address Challenge

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma County prosecutors say the state's new immigration law doesn't speak to whether a judge can question defendants about their immigration status. A lawyer representing

Tuesday, November 20th 2007, 6:23 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma County prosecutors say the state's new immigration law doesn't speak to whether a judge can question defendants about their immigration status. A lawyer representing two men filed a motion with the state Court of Criminal Appeals on November 9th when her clients confirmed to District Judge Jerry Bass that they are in the United States illegally.

Attorney Joan Lopez is seeking to have the two men released from custody, while challenging the constitutionality of the law that went into effect November 1st.

She claims the Oklahoma law isn't valid because it's pre-empted by federal law, but Attorney General Drew Edmondson's office disagrees.

The attorney general is seeking to intercede in the case because a state law is being challenged.

For complete coverage of Oklahoma's new immigration reform law, click here.