Oklahoma’s State Board of Education has approved a controversial proposal requiring parents to report their immigration status when enrolling children in public schools, sparking intense debate and raising privacy concerns.
Democrats hate the new rule…because it makes it harder for illegals to hide!
At a Glance
- Oklahoma State Board of Education approved a proposal to track immigration status of students and parents
- The rule needs approval from state Legislature and Governor before implementation
- Proposal has sparked backlash, with critics arguing it violates rights and instills fear
- State Superintendent Ryan Walters supports the rule, emphasizing law and order
- Some local school officials have expressed intention to refuse enforcement
Controversial Proposal Approved
The Oklahoma State Board of Education has greenlit a proposal that would require parents to report their immigration status or provide proof of citizenship when enrolling their children in public schools.
This should be uncontroversial, but these days…
The move has ignited a firestorm of debate across the state, pitting those who advocate for stricter immigration policies against those concerned about “privacy rights” and educational access.
While the proposal has cleared its first hurdle, it still faces significant obstacles before becoming law. The rule requires approval from both the state Legislature and the Governor to take effect, a process that is likely to be fraught with intense scrutiny and debate.
State Superintendent Ryan Walters has come out in strong support of the proposed rule, framing it as a matter of law and order.
“We’re a country of law and order. We have laws and rules in place. Clearly, you are supposed to enter the country legally. We are providing information and documentation over the students in our schools. It is incredibly necessary for us to continue to move up in the education rankings to have this information. We will continue to collect that information. We will move forward with these rules and listen, we’re being very open, very transparent about that process,” Walters said.
“President Trump has a clear mandate to get illegal immigration under control, so we’re going to continue to do those things to make sure that the information is there and the information is available,” Walters added. .
However, the proposal has met with significant backlash from various quarters. Protests organized by Advocacy for Immigrants took place outside the board meeting, with demonstrators voicing their opposition to the policy. Critics argue that the rule violates rights and instills fear in immigrant communities.
It’s important to note that the proposal does not prevent students from enrolling based on legal status, which would be in violation of the 1982 U.S. Supreme Court ruling Plyler v. Doe. Instead, school districts would be required to report the total number of students lacking documentation to the Oklahoma State Department of Education, without including personally identifiable information.
Despite this assurance, concerns have been raised about the potential impact on students and their families. Some families are reportedly considering withdrawing their children from school due to fears of immigration enforcement, highlighting the chilling effect such policies can have on educational access.
Remember when it was completely normal for illegal aliens to be fearful of getting arrested and deported?
