For ads-free news, click here.
From the Associated Press: Parents enrolling children in Oklahoma public schools will be required to provide proof of their child’s U.S. citizenship or legal immigration status under a proposed rule approved Tuesday by the State Board of Education.
The board voted unanimously to approve the rule aimed at helping President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. It still needs to be approved by the Legislature and the governor.
Here are some things to know about the proposed rule.
What does the rule require?
The rule requires parents or legal guardians to provide proof of citizenship of their children when enrolling them in public school, including a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, consular report of birth abroad, permanent resident card or other legal document.
The proposed rule would not prevent students without legal status from enrolling or keep them from attending school. But it would require districts to record the number of students for whom proof of citizenship was not provided and to report those numbers, excluding personally identifiable information, to the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
Oklahoma Superintendent of Schools Ryan Walters, a Republican, explained, “Our rule around illegal immigration accounting is simply that. It is to account for how many students of illegal immigrants are in our schools.”
“We know that, a minimum, the state of Oklahoma spent $474 million to educate the children of illegal immigrants under the Biden administration,” he continued.
WATCH BELOW:
Our policy on illegal immigration is about accountability—accurately tracking undocumented students in schools.
Despite media gaslighting, this is about sustaining progress in Oklahoma schools. pic.twitter.com/3alEWMiUJu
— Superintendent Ryan Walters (@RyanWaltersSupt) January 28, 2025
Update: Proposal passed 🇺🇸 https://t.co/IZSMk8vpXw
— Superintendent Ryan Walters (@RyanWaltersSupt) January 29, 2025
Supt. Ryan also announced: “As part of teacher certification, educators will be required to pass the U.S. naturalization test. All teachers must demonstrate a strong understanding of U.S. history to ensure they’re equipped to inspire the next generation with the principles that make our country great.”
As part of teacher certification, educators will be required to pass the U.S. naturalization test.
All teachers must demonstrate a strong understanding of U.S. history to ensure they’re equipped to inspire the next generation with the principles that make our country great. pic.twitter.com/mAPoTPQta6
— Superintendent Ryan Walters (@RyanWaltersSupt) January 28, 2025
Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter.)
The DML News App: www.X.com/DMLNewsApp
The Dennis Michael Lynch Podcast archive is available below, with the most recent on top. Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the show by downloading The DML News App or go to Apple Podcasts.
