January 29th 2025.
In a recent decision, the Oklahoma Board of Education voted unanimously to pass a proposal that would require parents to provide proof of their citizenship when enrolling their children in school. According to The Hill, the vote was 6-0 in favor of the proposal. The main purpose of this requirement is to gather more accurate data, as stated by Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters. He emphasized that the information collected would only include the total number of students with undocumented parents in the state, without revealing any personal details or names of parents.
Walters clarified that the proposal's focus is solely on accounting for the number of students with undocumented parents in the school system. He also made it clear that the proposal does not intend to prevent any child from receiving the education they are entitled to. However, the proposal received some criticism from education and immigration advocates. This is due to Walters' perceived alignment with President Donald Trump's anti-immigration agenda. In fact, CNN reported that Walters began the meeting with strong words against the media's portrayal of the immigration issue, accusing them of spreading lies and gaslighting.
The vote on this proposal comes at a time when President Trump has signed a series of executive orders to grant more power to immigration authorities. This includes a direct order allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to arrest individuals in schools. The National Immigration Law Center released a statement expressing their concern over the constitutionality of the proposal. They argued that all children, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status, have a constitutional right to equal access to education. They also highlighted how this requirement could interfere with the schools' primary mission of educating children and preparing them to participate in our democracy.
It's important to note that the proposal does not require schools to report the citizenship status of their students. Instead, the state education department will work with school districts to determine the best way for parents to upload their proof of citizenship. Walters explained that this process would not be too difficult as the school already collects a significant amount of information when enrolling students.
Walters is known for taking Trump's agenda seriously, particularly when it comes to immigration. In fact, in early January of 2025, he filed a $474 million lawsuit against ICE and the Department of Homeland Security for failing to enforce border policies in Oklahoma's public schools. Shortly after the proposal's approval, Walters announced that Oklahoma educators would be required to pass the U.S. naturalization test. This move, according to Walters, will ensure that educators have a strong understanding of U.S. history and are equipped to inspire the next generation with the principles that make our country great.
In related news, Grenada recently announced plans to implement a "Citizenship By Invitation" program to attract wealthy investors. This program aims to boost the country's economy and create more job opportunities for its citizens.
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