Oklahoma governor rejects controversial plan to gather college students’ immigration standing, citing public security issues
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt introduced his resolution to dam a controversial plan that may have required dad and mom to offer their kids’s immigration standing when enrolling in public faculties. The proposal, championed by State Superintendent Ryan Walters, was met with vital opposition from educators, civil rights teams, and immigrant communities.
Governor Stitt, a staunch opponent of unlawful immigration, mentioned the transfer to gather college students’ immigration standing was not a public security challenge and would create pointless worry amongst younger kids. “Amassing 6, 7, 8-year-old children’ addresses and immigration standing within the state of Oklahoma, that’s not a public security challenge,” Stitt mentioned, as quoted by the Related Press. “Let’s go after the folks which might be committing crimes, and let’s not terrorize and make our youngsters not present up for varsity.”
Proposal met with backlash
The proposal, pushed by Walters and accredited by the State Board of Schooling in January 2025, would have required dad and mom or authorized guardians to offer proof of citizenship for his or her kids when enrolling them in public faculties. Acceptable paperwork included US delivery certificates, passports, or different authorized immigration paperwork. The rule was meant to use to all college students, together with younger kids getting into kindergarten or first grade.
Nevertheless, the plan shortly gained traction as a controversial transfer, notably amongst educators and advocates for immigrant rights. Lecturers voiced issues that such a measure would create worry amongst immigrant households, doubtlessly deterring kids from attending faculty altogether. In an announcement, Kica Matos, president of the Nationwide Immigration Regulation Heart, praised Stitt’s rejection of the plan. “The governor’s sound rejection of a radical try to undermine the best to training is a results of the concerted advocacy of oldsters, educators, and advocates throughout Oklahoma who mobilized to oppose it,” Matos mentioned, as quoted by the Related Press.
Stitt’s decisive motion and political implications
Governor Stitt’s resolution additionally included the elimination of three members from the State Board of Schooling who had accredited the rule. In an announcement, Stitt expressed frustration that kids have been getting used as “political pawns.” He added that the main focus ought to be on addressing the unlawful immigration of adults who commit crimes, fairly than concentrating on weak kids.
The controversy additionally highlights rising tensions inside Oklahoma’s Republican Get together. Walters, who has steadily attacked “woke” ideologies in public faculties, has been related to extra conservative factions throughout the state. Though Walters has not but introduced future political plans, some speculate he might search increased workplace in 2026.
As reported by the Related Press, Stitt’s rejection of the plan alerts a shift towards extra average stances inside sure sections of the state’s Republican management, regardless of Walters’ continued efforts to advertise conservative training insurance policies.
