(The Lion) — Oklahoma public schools must now collect data on student immigration status at enrollment, according to a new a rule from the State Board of Education.
The board unanimously approved the rule to require parents and guardians to provide proof of citizenship or legal residency for their kids when enrolling in public schools. Acceptable documents include a birth certificate, passport, permanent resident card or another legal document.
The rule would not stop parents from enrolling illegal immigrant children or keeping them in public schools. However, it would require districts to record the number of students who didn’t provide proof of citizenship or legal status and to provide that information to the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
The details sent to the Oklahoma Department of Education won’t include personally identifiable information.
“Our rule around illegal immigration accounting is simply that,” Walters told the Associated Press. “It is to account for how many students of illegal immigrants are in our schools.”
Walters also said the state Department of Education will work with federal immigration officers if necessary.
“If a law enforcement official comes in and asks for information, we’re legally required to provide that information,” he told the Associated Press. “If they come and ask us for certain information, we’ll happily provide that.”
One school district head has flatly said he won’t follow the rule.
“OKCPS does not, nor do we have plans to, collect the immigration status of our students or their families,” Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent Jamie Polk told the Associated Press.
Oklahoma has an estimated 90,000 illegal immigrants, including roughly 6,000 children enrolled in public schools, according to the Migration Policy Institute.
States cannot legally prevent illegal immigrant children from attending public schools according to a Supreme Court ruling in the 1982 case Plyler v. Doe.
Additionally, Walters announced that state educators must pass the U.S. naturalization test as part of its teacher certification process.
“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,” he posted on X.
