Representative John Pfeiffer

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives Public Safety Committee approved legislation to require law enforcement in Oklahoma to comply with federal immigration agencies in its meeting Tuesday.

House Bill 2774, by State Rep. John Pfeiffer, R-Orlando, directs all sheriffs, jailers and deputies to comply with any request made in an immigration detainer request provided by the federal government. The bill would require the person identified in the detainer to be informed they are being held in accordance with the request. The bill states that a sheriff, jailer or deputy is not required to comply if the person has provided proof that the person is a United States citizen.

Pfeiffer said members of law enforcement requested the bill to help define their role in situations where illegal immigrants have been released by local law enforcement despite their immigration status having been confirmed.

“Oklahoma has seen several cases where illegal immigrants were released by local law enforcement despite their immigration status having been confirmed,” Pfeiffer said. “Law enforcement from my district and across the state have asked that their roles be outlined in statute to provide direction as to their duties in these situations. House Bill 2774 protects Oklahomans by providing necessary clarity on procedure to our hard-working law enforcement officers so there is no confusion or error when these situations arise again.”

The bill was approved by the House Public Safety Committee 5-0.

HB 2774 is a refiled bill from the 2020 legislative session. Pfeiffer’s House Bill 3195 was stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic shortening the legislative session last year.