Business Groups Challenging Oklahoma Verification Law
Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson is asking the Denver-based 10th Circuit Court of Appeals for assistance in enforcing a recently passed immigration law that has come under some scrutiny from various business groups. The law requires that employers verify employees, contractors and subcontractors through the federal employment verification system. It also requires businesses with state contracts to withhold income taxes of contractors and subcontractors should they not be checked through the verification system.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce along with other business groups have challenged the law arguing that the law conflicts with federal law making usage of the verification system voluntary. U.S. District Chief Judge Robin Cauthron of the Western District of Oklahoma ruled the law to be unconstitutional since it subjects businesses who do not use the verification system to penalties.
"The Oklahoma Legislature had the authority to enact a statute which protects the taxpayers and legal residents of the State of Oklahoma from suffering the adverse effects of illegal aliens," Edmondson said in a court filing. "While HB 1804 is enjoined, the state cannot protect its legal workers."
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