Oklahoma lawmaker proposes life sentences for undocumented immigrants

Emma Murphy
| Voice of Oklahoma

A state lawmaker on Tuesday said he was considering legislation to send. undocumented immigrants Those who commit crimes in Oklahoma are sentenced to life imprisonment.

Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, said in an interim study that the legislation would allow undocumented immigrants the option of deportation rather than life in prison.

He said the law would give prosecutors discretion and that prosecutors could use it to “target people who are actually guilty.”

The legislative study was designed to inform the Department of Criminal Justice and Corrections about the impacts of undocumented immigrants on correctional facilities and law enforcement. Lawmakers often use these studies to help draft future legislation.

Rep. Jared Deck, D-Norman, who sits on the committee, said he opposes the idea.

“Such an idea would only increase taxpayer expense to house and feed undocumented people in jails and prisons and place a greater burden on law enforcement and our court systems,” Deck said in a statement. “There is no need to create additional laws regarding undocumented Oklahomans when many already exist.”

Also pointed out something 2021 Ministry of Justice research It shows that U.S.-born citizens are 10 times more likely to commit gun-related crimes, five times more likely to commit violent crimes, and nearly twice as likely to commit property crimes and drug crimes.

Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado said he agreed with Humphrey. He said this would give law enforcement the ability to make an arrest “on a solid charge” and later determine citizenship in prison.

He said he is concerned that law enforcement is already understaffed and that the growing population of people in Oklahoma’s jails and prisons will require more detention personnel that are not available.

Life imprisonment is foreseen for one person several crimes In Oklahoma, these include first-degree murder, some crimes against children, and repeat crimes after felonies. Life imprisonment sentences are equivalent to 45 years.

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