Board Votes to Require Parental Citizenship Proof
The Oklahoma Education Board has voted in favor of a controversial proposal that would require parents to provide proof of their citizenship or immigration status when enrolling their children in public schools. The proposal, passed unanimously with a 6-0 vote, still awaits approval from the state legislature and governor before taking effect.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters, along with five board members appointed by the governor, supported the measure, arguing that it aims to collect data on the student population. Walters dismissed media criticism of the proposal, stating that it is purely an effort to document the number of students with undocumented parents in Oklahoma’s schools.
However, the move has sparked strong opposition from education and immigration advocates. Critics argue that the requirement could create fear among immigrant families and discourage them from enrolling their children in public schools. The National Immigration Law Center condemned the proposal, emphasizing that every child has a constitutional right to education, regardless of immigration status. They warned that such policies could interfere with schools’ primary mission—educating students and fostering an inclusive learning environment.
Political Context and Broader Immigration Debate
The proposal by the Oklahoma Education Board aligns with national Republican efforts to tighten immigration policies, particularly under former President Donald Trump, who has endorsed stricter enforcement measures, including allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to operate within schools. Oklahoma has mirrored this approach, with Walters pushing for policies that he claims prioritize Oklahoma students over the impact of undocumented immigration.
Walters recently filed a $474 million lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security and ICE, alleging that federal border policies have placed a financial burden on Oklahoma’s education system. He also expressed the state’s intent to comply with Trump-era directives that allow ICE to enter schools, a move that has drawn further criticism from immigrant advocacy groups.
In recent years, Oklahoma has led efforts to reshape public education policies under Walters’ leadership. The state-mandated schools to include the Bible and Ten Commandments in curricula, and the U.S. Supreme Court is set to decide whether Oklahoma can reject religious charter schools from receiving public funding. These broader policy changes reflect a broader ideological shift in the state’s education system.
Legal Concerns and Potential Consequences
Opponents of the proposal by the Oklahoma Education Board have raised concerns about its legality, pointing to the 1982 Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe, which ruled that states cannot deny students access to free public education based on their immigration status. The ruling emphasized that excluding undocumented students would hinder their ability to participate in society and contribute to the nation’s progress.
Past legal challenges to similar measures have resulted in setbacks for states attempting to enforce them. In 2011, Alabama passed a law requiring schools to collect immigration data, but it faced significant legal opposition and was ultimately settled in court. Given this precedent, legal experts suggest Oklahoma’s proposal may face similar challenges.
Oklahoma’s largest school districts have attempted to reassure students and families. Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent Jamie C. Polk affirmed that the district has no plans to collect immigration status, stating that federal law guarantees every child’s right to public education. With uncertainty surrounding the proposal’s implementation, advocates continue to challenge its potential impact on immigrant communities.
