Oklahoma's new task force, formed after the passage of House Bill 4156, recommended measures to help immigrants working in the state legally stay.Last session, HB 4156 was signed into law. It allows state and local law enforcement officials to remove undocumented immigrants from Oklahoma. "How do we let families thrive without fear that something is going to happen if they are legitimately working here?" Tricia Everest, secretary of public safety, said.Everest is also the chair of the Oklahoma State Work Permits and Visas Task Force, appointed by Gov. Kevin Stitt after the passage of HB 4156 this year. Its main focus is finding ways to help immigrants get their visas, paperwork and permits.One idea is creating the "Office of New Oklahomans.""Not only in Oklahoma, but nationwide, the majority of noncitizens are really highly educated," Everest said.>> Download the KOCO 5 AppOne of the recommendations from the task force is to increase work permits and visas for noncitizens who want to move to Oklahoma or are already here. The idea is to retain highly skilled and educated talent, especially if they have a degree from an American university."If we have noncitizens, and they’re coming and training in our universities, and they become specialists in fields where we need them — if we need nurses — there’s not enough visas available nationally where they can actually practice here," Everest said.The task force realized the national visa system is outdated and flawed, so the argument is to let workers who want to be here stay here."Here, we train all this talent, and then they have to go back to their country of origin, and then they go through a process?" Everest said. Another recommendation is giving driving privilege cards to qualifying noncitizens, a concept already in use in the state of Utah. Everest pointed out that this is not a driver’s license but a way to let people drive within state lines only."If you do not have a criminal history, you can prove nationality, identity and residency -- it’s a highly restricted privilege," Everest said.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.These cards would not allow someone to vote.The task force also noted that this would benefit law enforcement."The longer you’re on the side of the road trying to figure out if someone qualifies or not is one of the most dangerous times for injury to the individual or to the officers," Everest said.These recommendations will go to lawmakers.House Bill 4156 has not taken effect because it is tied up in the court system. Top Headlines Unbelievable OHP photo shows trailer stuck upright against sign over I-35 in Ardmore Man wins more than $430,000 – only a day after buying a new house, lottery officials say Oklahoma grocery tax cut takes effect Thursday, stores prepare for change Shawnee Public Schools superintendent placed on leave amid OSDE investigation Mariah Carey's mother and sister died on the same day. The singer says her 'heart is broken'