Drummond appeals injunction halting Oklahoma's immigration law

(The Center Square) - Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond filed an appeal of an injunction halting Oklahoma's immigration law.

U.S. District Judge Bernard M. Jones said in an order issued in June that Oklahoma “may have understandable frustrations with the problems caused by illegal immigration ... but the State may not pursue policies that undermine federal law," a referral to a 2012 Arizona case.

Oklahoma lawmakers passed the law during this year's legislative session. It creates the offense of "impermissible occupation," which allows state law enforcement officers to arrest people found to be in the country illegally.

The United States Department of Justice, Padres Unidos de Tulsa and several individuals sued to stop the law .

Drummond said the law is a tool to "crackdown" on illegal immigrants working in the state's illegal marijuana farms.

“The Biden Administration’s complete and utter failure to address the border crisis has given Oklahoma no option but to take steps necessary to ensure public safety,” he said in a statement after filing the appeal . “House Bill 4156 is a powerful tool to counter criminal activity largely being fueled by illegal immigrants coming to our state.”

A federal judge also halted a similar law passed by the Iowa Legislature after the DOJ sued. Attorney General Breanna Bird is appealing the decision. A Texas law is also held up in the federal court system.