Staff Reports
Oklahoma’s educational landscape is taking an interesting turn as state Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters makes headlines with a plan that has conservatives rubbing their hands together in delight. The proposal requires parents to report their immigration or citizenship status when enrolling their children in schools. Walters, representing a determined push against the tide of illegal immigration, claims that a solid understanding of who is in the system is essential. After all, if there are over 4,000 illegal immigrants in Oklahoma schools costing taxpayers nearly $500 million under Biden’s watch, one might think it’s high time to take some common sense measures.
Despite the unanimous approval from the six-member board that Walters leads, the proposal still needs a green light from Governor Kevin Stitt and the legislature. Stitt, who has made it clear he is no friend of illegal immigration, is nonetheless looking to halt Walters’ initiative. His focus, however, seems to be on criminal elements among those who are here illegally, which raises the question: are overly porous borders and sanctuary-like policies becoming the norm in America, even in a red state like Oklahoma?
…Oklahoma seems to have an inordinate number of RINOs in our state government who are against this…
Oklahoma schools superintendent: Plan to ask parents about immigration status 'common sense' https://t.co/JCEi3l2xVd
— XY can NEVER equal XX (@realGregKarnes) February 16, 2025
Walters makes a strong case for transparency, stating that the state has managed to gather some information about the number of students with illegal migrant parents through previously volunteered information. Why play hide-and-seek with statistics when it’s about taxpayer money? The superintendent worries that if schools don’t have a proper handle on the demographics of their students, they risk diverting precious resources from classrooms into reactive measures. This is particularly pressing given the swelling class sizes and the influx of students from various countries.
The superintendent’s claims grow even grimmer as he highlights potential threats infiltrating the school system. He points to the dangers of MS-13 gang activity and child sex trafficking on the border, urging that cooperation with law enforcement is a matter of “common sense.” The idea here is that knowing which families may pose a risk can facilitate safety for all students— and who wouldn’t want to protect kids from the real threats lurking outside the school gates? This is an appeal to logic that often goes ignored in liberal circles, which seems more interested in coddling illegal immigrant families than ensuring the safety of American children.
Media coverage regarding this initiative has felt more like gaslighting than genuine reporting, according to Walters. Not surprisingly, various advocacy groups are already buzzing with concerns that the proposal will create a chilling atmosphere for immigrant families. To them, it seems that documenting the status of parents is tantamount to closing the doors to public education. Meanwhile, critics who resist any form of accountability overlook that every child, whether documented or not, deserves education—but that doesn’t mean taxpayers should foot an unfair bill to educate those who entered the country unlawfully.
In a time when accountability is often sacrificed on the altar of progressive ideals, it is refreshing to see conservative policymakers standing firm on the issue of immigration in schools. There is a balance to be struck—ensuring that all children receive an education while not jeopardizing the security and financial health of the state budget. Oklahoma is treading a precarious line, and the decisions made in the coming months will reverberate beyond its borders.
