A proposal in Oklahoma public schools is under consideration that would mandate parents to provide proof of their child's U.S. citizenship or legal immigration status when enrolling their children. The aim of this proposal is to align with President Donald Trump's immigration policies.
The proposed rules, set to be voted on by Oklahoma's education board, are in the early stages and would require approval from lawmakers and the governor to be implemented. The proposal, put forth by the state's education chief, would not prevent students without legal status from attending schools but would necessitate districts to maintain a record.
While a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 1982 affirmed the right of children living in the country illegally to access public education, some conservative lawmakers have raised concerns about immigrants without legal residency receiving this right.
The state's education chief has expressed support for enforcing immigration laws, including allowing federal agents with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement into Oklahoma schools. He emphasized the impact of what he perceives as a high number of illegal immigrants on schools and endorsed prioritizing Oklahoma students.
The proposal has faced criticism from teachers, civil liberty groups, and has instilled fear within Oklahoma's immigrant communities. A Democratic representative highlighted the concerns within the community, with parents questioning whether to unenroll their children from school.
Despite the proposal, Oklahoma City Public Schools, one of the state's largest districts with a significant Hispanic student population, affirmed that federal law guarantees every child's right to public education regardless of immigration status. The district clarified that they do not collect the immigration status of students or their families.
Efforts to challenge the 1982 Supreme Court decision known as Plyler v. Doe, which grants children of families living in the country illegally the right to attend public school, have been met with resistance. Similar attempts in Alabama in 2011 were ultimately blocked after legal challenges.
Immigration experts caution against undermining the Plyler decision, citing recent Supreme Court rulings that have overturned longstanding precedents on various issues.
