Roberts files legislation requiring detention facilities comply with ICE

Rep. Sean Roberts Files Legislation Requiring Detention Facilities to Comply with Federal Immigration Officials

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Sean Roberts (R-Hominy) filed legislation recently that would require sheriffs, wardens, and other operators of detention facilities to comply with federal immigration officers.

House Bill 4115 requires operators of state, city, and county detention facilities to honor federal immigration detainers of an inmate for no less than 48 hours after the inmate would otherwise be released.

"The need for this bill became apparent recently when federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) publicly criticized Oklahoma County Sheriff P.D. Taylor as a Sanctuary Sheriff for releasing a rapist illegal alien in the middle of the night, after only 90 minutes notice to ICE at their Dallas office. Oklahomans deserve better, and this bill will ensure that Oklahoma is not a sanctuary state."

A $50,000 fine would be issued for each failure to comply with a detainer. The amount of each fine shall not exceed 1% of the total annual budget for the detention facility. Proceeds from such fines would be deposited into the State Treasury for the use of restitution for victims of crimes committed by people illegally in the United States.

“This measure will put teeth behind the requirement that employees at detention facilities across the state comply with federal immigration officers as these situations arise,” Roberts said. “Our corrections facilities are full of people who are in this country illegally. This measure will make sure these people are answerable to our laws and ensure their victims see justice served.”

The second session of the 57th Legislature commences Monday, Feb. 3, 2020.

Rep. Sean Roberts, a Republican, serves District 36 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes Osage and Tulsa Counties.