By Sydney Dalske
State Representative Justin Humphrey has faced backlash for proposing a bill that would label gang members of specific Hispanic descent as ‘terrorists”. Humphrey has since apologized and does plan on changing the language of the bill, but not the content.
This bill has stirred up controversy for seeking to label Hispanic people associated with gangs as terrorists while no other race is mentioned. The apology that Humphrey made states that he plans to change the word Hispanic to ‘Undocumented”.
Humphrey says that the bill means to “focus on those people who are here illegally … and trying to do harm to America and to Oklahoma” he also added who he wants the intended targets of the bill to be Cartel members bringing in fentanyl across the southern border.
There were 3,547 unintended drug overdose deaths in Oklahoma from 2017-2021 from the States Department of Health, of which 579 were related to fentanyl specifically. Despite this, State Senator Michael Brooks says that the bill is unlikely to pass. Brooks also says that “All groups have a constitutional right to due process and also a constitutional right not to be discriminated against or be singled out”.
If this bill was to pass the punishment for being labeled a “terrorist” would be forfeiting all assets, such as property, vehicles or money.
This is what inspired the fierce criticism of the bill. Humphreys exact reaction and half apology included saying, “ I apologize for using the word Hispanic, but I was not wrong.” Despite him changing some of the language, the bill will continue to go to the Republican-controlled legislature.
If passed it would become law on November 1st 2024, but it is unlikely to pass.
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