A letter from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has lent support to Attorney General Gentner Drummond's argument that Oklahoma's immigration reform law is necessary due to the ongoing border crisis. The legislation, House Bill 4156, was enacted last year but was halted in June after a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction at the request of the Biden Administration’s DOJ. Drummond has since appealed this decision.
The DOJ's communication to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit on January 23 referenced a proclamation by former President Trump stating that "the current situation at the southern border qualifies as an invasion under Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution of the United States." This statement has prompted the DOJ to evaluate its impact on HB 4156.
Attorney General Drummond expressed his views, saying, “President Trump is committed to securing the border and enforcing immigration laws, which is a welcome change from the Biden Administration’s open-border policy.” He added that "the nation’s porous border under the Biden Administration posed a direct threat to public safety in Oklahoma," leading them to act in defense of their citizens. Drummond emphasized that "the recent letter from the Justice Department makes clear that our position is correct," and he anticipates being able to enforce HB 4156 soon. He highlighted that this law is vital for combating illegal marijuana cultivation and related criminal activities.
HB 4156 was developed with input from legislative leaders and aims to tackle illegal marijuana farming by allowing state law enforcement agencies to detain and incarcerate undocumented immigrants involved in these operations.