Federal judge grants preliminary injunction halting controversial Oklahoma immigration law

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — On Friday, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction that puts a pause on House Bill 4156, a controversial law enabling Oklahoma law enforcement to arrest individuals on the basis of immigration status.

The new law, which was scheduled to go into effect on July 1, has been met with opposition from many different organizations, including The Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police and Metro Law Enforcement Agency Leaders, and state legislators.

On May 15, the U.S. Department of Justice sent a letter to Governor Kevin Stitt and Attorney General Gentner Drummond, threatening legal action if HB 4156 was enforced.

Drummond sent a letter in response, reaffirming the state’s intention to enforce the immigration law. As a result, the DOJ filed a lawsuit against the state on May 21.

“Oklahoma may have understandable frustrations with the problems caused by illegal immigration…but the State may not pursue policies that undermine federal law.’ Arizona, 567 U.S. at 416. Should more explicit guidance foreclose that conclusion, this Court will listen,” the conclusion of the preliminary injunction order says.

Drummond issued a statement on Friday afternoon expressing his disappointment in the ruling.

“While today’s court ruling is disappointing, I will not stop fighting for Oklahoma and our right to protect our borders,” Drummond said. “The Biden Administration’s complete failure to enforce federal immigration laws made House Bill 4156 a necessity. We intend to appeal today’s decision and defend one of the most powerful tools we have to fight the criminal activity largely being fueled by illegal aliens in Oklahoma.”