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By Juan Miret
Hispano de Tulsa
Tulsa, OK — The burden of 1804 began 180 days ago and to this day the state government has not provided an informative statement as to how to apply the law.
The result: chaos, confusion and fear.
In the last few days there have been several cases which exemplify abuses and excesses that can be expected when there is a lack of information. One of them involved the arrest of 10 immigrants and the other affected several Hispanic businesses.
Immigrants arrested at work
On April 23 an anonymous call made to the Pryor Sheriff’s Department, located in Mayes County 37 miles outside of Tulsa, caused Sheriff Frank Cantey’s mobilization to arrest 10 suspected illegal immigrants.
The arrests were made at D&D Interiors, a construction company.
It was revealed, during investigations after the arrests, that not all those arrested lacked immigration documents; at this time, the identity of those abused is being protected in order to speed up the prosecution process.
What is more alarming about this situation is that Sheriff Cantey’s office, who declined Hispano de Tulsa’s invitation for comments, has a message on their information portal stating that “watchful eyes are an important part of our efforts…please call the Sheriff’s confidential number: 825-3820 with your observations.”
Apparently anonymous calls, necessary to report crime, can also be tools for acts of discrimination. We wonder: what does an undocumented person look like? Possibly a person with darker skin? Or maybe a person who speaks a different language?
For those who defend the just treatment of immigrants it is bizarre that Sheriff Frank Cantey mobilized his forces due to a call without proof, being that some of those arrested were of legal migratory status.
Cantey completely ignored the fact that many Hispanics are born on American soil or have legalized their status.
The Contracting Company
A shower of hate messages and calls has inundated D&D Interiors.
During a brief conversation granted to Hispano de Tulsa, Rick Davenport one of the owners of D&D, expressed how upset he was over the events.
“We [D&D] are not policemen or immigration officers, we are businessmen; the employees provided their documents and with those we were able to complete the I-9 forms, pay taxes, provide insurance, pay at least $17 per hour, and follow the rules,” Davenport stated firmly.
The businessman is worried about the situation as it stands for the rest of his employees, who he considers part of his own family: “they are young, good willed entrepreneurs, they are professional and honest,” he asserted.
Those detained were mistreated and insulted and Davenport supports them as they file suit for racial discrimination. “The treatment they received is unacceptable, above all they are human,” he ended.
Apparently, the anonymous phone call made to the Pryor Sheriff’s office was made by a company who had lost a bid to D&D; to get their revenge they made the false accusation.
For now, D&D Interiors continues its daily routine trying to get back to normal and working on pending projects.
Attacking Beauty Salons
Now, the chase for immigrants has found new victims: beauty salons.
The Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology (OSBC) has begun a crusade against Hispanic beauty salons.
OSBC has interpreted 1804 their way and will begin to “null, deny, suspend, and revoke licenses,” if they are unable to obtain proof of citizenship status for those who apply for the licenses.
The abuse lies in the fact that letters are arriving to those businesses that have renewed and obtained their licenses or certifications; nonetheless, the state board will begin a retroactive action to begin to apply its novel interpretation of the law.
Currently, Chris Gentges, attorney and unyielding social activist, has begun questioning the cosmetology agency investigating the basis under which the letters are being supported, letters which the agency has been sending to Hispanic merchants.
What can be done?
The most effective way to stop so much unmeasured abuse is by reporting it; the medium is reasonable and only the person affected can decide how far they will go; the most important thing is that those who can raise their voices do not keep from doing so.
To endure this law it is necessary to remain informed, the intention is not to create panic, rather, to provide tools for those who suffer day after day the severity of 1804 so they will know what to do.
To denounce abuse please contact the following entities where one can be helped in Spanish:
Catholic Charities Immigration Service
(918) 582-0881
Tele Ayuda- Center for Intercultural Services
(918) 663-0001
(Article translated by Rosario Guerra)
