Oklahoma proposal would require parents to provide proof of citizenship when enrolling students
Oklahoma proposal would require parents to provide proof of citizenship when enrolling students
Share:
Parents enrolling children in Oklahoma public schools would be required to provide proof of their child's U.S. citizenship or legal immigration status under a proposal aimed at helping President Donald Trump's immigration policies. The proposed rules, which Oklahoma's education board was set to vote on Tuesday, are in the early stages and would still need approval from lawmakers and the governor to take effect. The proposal from Republican State Superintendent Ryan Walters, the state’s education chief, would not prohibit students without legal status from attending schools but would require districts to keep a tally.
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 1982 affirmed the right of children living in the country illegally to attend public schools, although some conservative lawmakers have questioned whether immigrants without legal residency should have the right to a public education.
Walters has said he would support efforts by Trump to enforce immigration laws, including allowing federal agents with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement into Oklahoma schools. “Schools are crippled by the flood of illegal immigrants and the Biden/Harris open border policy,” Walters said in a statement. “Oklahomans and the country elected President Trump and we will do everything possible to help put Oklahoma students first.”.
