Immigration bill clears state House with no debate

Wednesday, March 15th 2006, 6:12 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- With no debate, the Oklahoma House passes an immigration bill that would require ordinary state workers to report illegal aliens to law enforcement authorities.

Members of Oklahoma's expanding Latino community who oppose the bill say they were disappointed with Tuesday night's 63-to-24 vote in the Republican-led House. They say they hope to kill it when it reaches the Democrat-controlled Senate.

The bill hit a roadblock earlier in the evening when supporters failed to get enough votes to move the bill to final passage.

The bill would require Oklahomans to produce proof of citizenship before they are allowed to vote or receive government aid. It also requires state workers to report anyone who fails to produce proper identification.

The bill also imposes significant penalties on businesses that employ illegal aliens and would make undocumented aliens ineligible for in-state tuition.