DOJ Sues Oklahoma for Making Illegal Immigration a State Crime

The U.S. Department of Justice is suing the state of Oklahoma over a new law that makes illegal immigration a state crime enforceable by state police. The law in question was approved by Oklahoma legislators in April and is set to go into effect on July 1. Similar laws have been passed in other Republican-led states, such as Iowa and Texas, and are facing similar challenges from the Justice Department. Under the new law, foreign nationals illegally coming to and residing in Oklahoma would be charged with “impermissible occupation,” a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $500 fine. A second-time offense, upgraded to a felony, could result in the offender being held for two years behind bars and fined up to $1,000....