Stitt is taking the first step in the fight against illegal immigration in light of Trump’s arrival in the White House

Stitt said in a news release Friday that the move is aimed at “addressing the presence of illegal immigrants who have committed crimes in (Oklahoma).”

“I’m still asking for ways to get government work visas for those who want to pursue the American dream, but we will not tolerate criminal activity in our state,” Stitt said. “The Oklahoma taxpayer cannot be left with President Biden’s open border bill.”

State Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton is leading the operation.

Tipton is ordered to work with state, county and local law enforcement agencies and the Oklahoma Department of Corrections to develop a plan to deport unauthorized immigrants who are incarcerated in the state for reasons other than their immigration status.

Officials from the Department of Homeland Security of the new Trump administration will eventually be added to the collaboration.

Tipton’s plan must be presented to the governor no later than January 15 of next year.

“Oklahoma taxpayers are now paying to keep illegal immigrants in jail because the Biden administration has refused to enforce the law. This has to stop,” Tipton said in a press release. “I look forward to working with law enforcement agencies across the state as well as the Department of Corrections to enforce a policy of zero tolerance for crimes committed by illegal immigrants.”

The press release points to 526 unauthorized immigrants currently in the State Department of Corrections, which it says costs taxpayers $36,000 a day.

It is not clear how the operation “Guardian” will unfold and who exactly can be part of it.