The measure, approved 63-24, declares the state has a compelling interest in discouraging illegal immigration, then spells out ways to do it.

The Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act would require everyone to prove citizenship when getting identification cards at school, registering to vote or seeking public assistance. Anyone who cannot would be turned over to federal immigration authorities.

The bill also repeals a 2003 law allowing illegal immigrants who grow up in Oklahoma to pay in-state tuition at state colleges and universities and to apply for state tuition assistance.

"It is quite clear that the federal government has absolutely and utterly failed its job to protect our nation's borders," said Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, the measure's primary author.

"The states not only have the legal authority to act ... but we must act."

Opponents -- including Hispanic organizations, immigration advocates and individuals -- called the bill punitive, and predicted it would push illegal immigrants further into the shadows.

"The legislation will not deter illegal immigration, but will only add confusion to an already confusing system," said Shirley Cox, director of social action at Catholic Charities.

About 50 opponents of the bill, many of them Hispanic, showed up Tuesday morning when they learned the bill was on the House agenda.

But when it became clear the measure would not be heard until evening, most returned to work.

"For many, it was their first time to be at the Capitol. It was truly inspiring," Cox said.

A much smaller crowd showed up to hear debate when the bill came up at 10 p.m. The legislation was brought up earlier in the evening, but a procedural move derailed its passage. The final version of the bill was distributed to members, then heard, and passed, later in the evening. The bill passed through without any debate, though many Democrats had expressed frustrations Republicans were ignoring their concerns.

Fight another day
Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, D-Oklahoma City, said she would have debated against the bill had she been in the chamber when the bill was brought up again. Hamilton said the bill wrongly blames Hispanic immigrants for overburdened education and health care systems in the state. But, she said the finger pointing is shielded racism.

"If you focus your hatred on a group of people -- and that is what they are doing -- you don't have to deal with the real problems," she said. "This is nothing but politics."

If approved by the Senate, the bill would go to Gov. Brad Henry, who said there is very little state governments can do to address the immigration problem.

"It's really a problem that must be addressed through a federal response and federal resources if we're really going to get a handle on it," said Henry, who said it is his policy not to indicate whether he will sign or veto legislation until he has had a chance to read it.

The bill passed because lawmakers believed immigration, especially illegal immigration, has created problems for Oklahoma, draining the economy, taking jobs away from citizens and increasing the welfare rolls, said Ed Romo, vice president for civil rights of the League of United Latin American Citizens chapter.

The Hispanic community will regroup and fight the bill in the Senate, Romo said.

Identity: Requires proof of citizenship to get a government-issued identity card and requires government workers to report anyone who cannot do so.

Voter fraud: Requires proof of citizenship when registering to vote.

Public assistance: Requires proof of citizenship when applying for public assistance, and requires government workers to report anyone who cannot do so.

Cooperation: Requires state agencies administering public assistance programs to cooperate with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to develop a system to verify who is here illegally.