Attorney General Prepared To Fight After Biden Administration Threatens To Sue Oklahoma Over New Law

The Biden administration is threatening to sue over Oklahoma’s new immigration law, calling it unconstitutional.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond is now working to defend this law.

The federal government gave the attorney general and Gov. Stitt until Monday to agree to refrain from enforcing the immigration law. 

Related: Gov. Stitt Talks Newly Signed Bill Criminalizing Illegal Immigration, New Task Force

Drummond says he is not backing down.

“I will fight for Oklahomans,” Drummond said. “Regrettably, this administration has adopted a one-size-fits-all, they’re the federal government and they know best, all states are stupid and unconstitutional.”

A letter dated May 15 says, “HB 4156 is preempted by federal law and violates the United States Constitution,” and that the law “intrudes into a field that is occupied by the federal government and is preempted.”

“We are not attempting to be the federal government. We are not attempting to deport anyone. This is not a political bill, it is a bill about public safety,” Drummond said. “My mission is to establish and achieve public protection and this is tantamount to public protection in the state of Oklahoma.”

The law will not allow racial profiling, Drummond says, it will only impact people who have committed a crime and are living in Oklahoma illegally.

“All about defending Oklahoma, protecting our citizenry,” Drummond said. “So if you are here illegally and engaging in an activity, I will find you and I will arrest you.”

Drummond says he does not expect the Biden administration to sue him Tuesday, but says he will fight this in court if needed.

“I will use every ounce of my energy and my skill to defend Oklahoma’s law,” Drummond said.

The immigration law is set to go into effect July 1st, but could be pushed back if tied up in court.