Senator Garvin supports bill cracking down on illegal immigration

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, on Tuesday released the following statement after voting in favor of House Bill 4156 to crack down on illegal immigration.

This bill creates the crime of “impermissible occupation,” which is when someone who has not obtained legal authorization to enter the United States comes to Oklahoma and remains in the state.

“Immigration is top of mind for many Oklahomans as we see an unprecedented number of illegal immigrants crossing our nation’s Southern border, bringing illicit drugs and criminal activity that pose a threat to our public safety,” Garvin said. “My grandparents legally immigrated to the United States from Mexico and went through the naturalization process to become citizens. Their journey is emblematic of the appropriate pathway to citizenship, and the majority of legal immigrants want others to come here through the proper channels as well.”

The first Hispanic woman elected to serve in the Oklahoma Legislature, Garvin is a founding member of the Legislature's Latino Caucus. 

A record number of migrants have attempted to cross the border between the U.S. and Mexico since President Joe Biden took office. Between January 2021 and the end of January 2024, federal officials and Border Patrol agents recorded encounters with more than 7.2 million migrants attempting to cross the border.

Under HB 4156, a person charged with “impermissible occupation” in Oklahoma could face a year in jail and a fine of up to $500 on their first offense. That person would also be required to leave the state within 72 hours of being released from custody. A second offense could result in a felony conviction that carries a punishment of up to two years in prison and fines of up to $1,000.

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For more information, contact Sen. Jessica Garvin at (405) 521-5522 or Jessica.Garvin@oksenate.gov