Immigration

SB 868 prohibits Oklahoma state and local governments from implementing "sanctuary policies" that block cooperation with federal immigration authorities. It requires law enforcement agencies to support federal immigration enforcement by complying with immigration detainers (federal requests to hold individuals), sharing inmate release information with federal agencies, and allowing federal interviews of detainees. The bill also mandates judges to reduce sentences by up to 12 days in criminal cases where defendants face immigration detainers, facilitating their transfer to federal custody. This directly affects county jails, police departments, and state agencies that manage detention facilities.

SB 655, the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, requires most Oklahoma employers to verify all new employees' work authorization using the federal E-Verify system within three business days of hiring. Employers must maintain verification records for at least three years, cannot hire individuals whose verification fails, and face penalties for violations - including $2,500 fines for second offenses and $5,000 for third offenses. The Oklahoma Attorney General enforces the law through investigations, warnings, fines, and a database that bars violators from state contracts for one year. The bill explicitly states it does not replace federal immigration requirements and allows employers to terminate staff for compliance without facing wrongful termination claims.

HB 1546 prohibits non-U.S. citizens from specific countries (China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or other U.S.-designated "foreign government adversaries") from owning agricultural land, forestry property, or real property within 200 miles of military installations or critical infrastructure facilities (like power plants, refineries, or water treatment plants). It requires sellers to submit a notarized affidavit verifying compliance with these restrictions when recording property deeds, with limited exceptions for deeds correcting title defects or securing debts. The bill applies to direct ownership and indirect ownership through business entities or trusts, effective November 1, 2025. This law directly affects foreign entities from the listed countries seeking to purchase or hold certain types of land in Oklahoma.