The State Board of Education in Oklahoma has approved a proposed rule that will require parents enrolling their children in public schools to provide proof of their child’s U.S. citizenship or legal immigration status. The rule aims to support President Trump’s immigration policies and gather information on the number of students without legal status enrolled in schools.
The rule does not prevent students without legal status from enrolling or attending school but requires districts to report the number of students for whom proof of citizenship was not provided. The proposed rule has been met with criticism from teachers, civil liberty groups, and lawmakers, causing fear within Oklahoma’s immigrant communities.
Superintendent Ryan Walters stated that the rule is to gather information for resource allocation and will support federal efforts to enforce immigration laws. The current law, established by the 1982 Plyler vs. Doe Supreme Court ruling, guarantees the right of children living in the country illegally to attend public schools.
Despite the pushback, Walters has expressed his support for sharing immigration information with law enforcement partners if requested. The proposed rule still needs approval from the Legislature and the governor, prompting ongoing discussions and debates within the state. Oklahoma residents, lawmakers, and advocacy groups are closely monitoring the developments related to the rule and its potential impact on immigrant communities in the state.
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