Immigration Bill Proposed

Wednesday, February 28th 2007, 1:37 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Republican lawmakers are introducing immigration legislation they say will end public benefits for illegal immigrants and punish employers who hire them.

Representative Randy Terrill says his bill is the most sweeping in the nation.

The measure was brought up Wednesday in the state House Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.

Terrill says he expects the bill will pass the Republican-controlled House but will find opposition in the state Senate where there are 24 Democrats and 24 Republicans.

Several immigration proposals have already died in the state Senate this year.

House organizers of the news conference excluded both supporters and opponents of the bill from the room where the news conference was held although Terrill had earlier urged both sides to attend.

A spokesman for House Speaker Lance Cargill says the room was reserved for reporters, lawmakers and House employees under a long-standing House policy.