Enid, OK – Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has unveiled a new initiative, “Operation Guardian,” aimed at deporting undocumented immigrants incarcerated in state prisons. The announcement came during his State of the State address on Monday, where Stitt expressed his concerns about the financial burden of housing these individuals.
According to the Governor, taxpayers are currently footing a $36,000-a-day bill to house more than 500 undocumented immigrants in Oklahoma correctional facilities. Stitt argues that these funds could be better spent elsewhere, as he believes it is unfair for state residents to be responsible for the costs of keeping individuals who should not be in the country in prison.
“Oklahoma taxpayers shouldn’t be paying millions of dollars a year to keep criminals incarcerated when they shouldn’t be in our state to begin with,” Stitt stated during his address.
Under the new plan, local law enforcement agencies will collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to transfer undocumented offenders into federal custody. However, before this can happen, the Governor must first commute the sentences of these individuals.
“This plan ensures Oklahoma leads the nation in cracking down on illegal aliens who’ve committed crimes against our communities,” Stitt said, emphasizing that the initiative was part of the state’s broader effort to address illegal immigration and its impact on public safety.
The Governor also noted that the operation would target offenders who have already been released from prison, signaling a broader scope to ensure that those who have completed their sentences but remain in the country illegally are also held accountable.
The announcement of “Operation Guardian” has prompted mixed reactions from state lawmakers. House Democrats, in particular, have expressed concerns about the Governor’s approach. Rep. Annie Menz (D-Norman) questioned the conflicting messages coming from the state’s leadership on issues of crime and justice, suggesting that the Governor’s stance was at odds with other criminal justice policies.
“I’m feeling like I’m understanding some conflicting messages from the leader of that party and in the state when it comes to how we view crime and justice-involved individuals,” Menz said.
Rep. Cyndi Munson (D-Oklahoma City) also voiced her concerns, emphasizing that immigration is a federal issue, not one for individual states to address.
“When it comes to immigration, that is a federal issue. They need to come up with a federal solution,” Munson said, pushing back against the idea of a state-level intervention in immigration enforcement.
The launch of “Operation Guardian” reflects the ongoing national debate over immigration policy, criminal justice reform, and the financial costs associated with detaining undocumented individuals. While supporters of the initiative argue that it’s a necessary step to protect local communities and reduce taxpayer burdens, critics contend that it oversteps state authority and calls for a comprehensive federal solution to immigration issues.
