Lawmaker favors deporting illegal immigrant inmates OKLAHOMA CITY (KOSU) - An Oklahoma lawmaker who wrote one of the strongest state immigration laws in the nation has a new proposal to deport illegal immigrant prison inmates.
A measure authored by Republican Rep. Randy Terrill authorizes state prison officials to hand over nonviolent illegal immigrants in state prisons who have served at least one-third of their sentences to federal immigration officials for deportation.
Terrill said the program will save the state millions of dollars and free up prison beds for more violent offenders at a time when the state faces a $900 million budget shortfall and a prison population that is almost at capacity.
Figures distributed earlier this year indicate there are 511 illegal immigrants in state prison cells and that 69 percent of them are eligible for the deportation program.
Terrill has championed legislation to prevent undocumented immigrants from receiving state benefits and jobs and other restrictions.
A federal judge blocked employment provisions in that measure after they were challenged by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The ruling is on appeal.

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