Oklahoma City Faces Immigration Rule Proposal Stirring Up Fear
In Oklahoma City, a new rule approved by the state board of education is making waves and stirring up quite a bit of controversy. Just recently, the board voted unanimously to require parents enrolling their children in public schools to provide proof of their child’s U.S. citizenship or legal immigration status. This proposal has sparked outrage among teachers, civil rights groups, and parents alike.
What’s the Rule All About?
The proposed rule is a direct response to efforts supporting Donald Trump’s immigration policies. To enroll their children, parents or legal guardians will need to present documents like a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or a permanent resident card. It’s important to note that this rule doesn’t outright block students without legal status from enrolling in school. However, it does require schools to keep track of how many students lack proof of citizenship and report those numbers to the Oklahoma state department of education.
State Superintendent Ryan Walters, who supports this rule, claims it’s just a method for schools to gather information on where to put resources and staff. “Our rule around illegal immigration accounting is simply that,” he stated. “It is to account for how many students of illegal immigrants are in our schools.”
A Community in Fear
This rule isn’t just numbers and policies; it’s putting real fear into families. There are an estimated 90,000 residents in Oklahoma without legal status, including around 6,000 children in public schools. During the board’s meeting, hundreds of students and their supporters gathered outside to express their concerns and protest against the decision. The air was filled with tension as many voiced their worries about how this might affect their children’s education.
Arturo Alonso-Sandoval, a local Democrat representing Oklahoma City’s Hispanic community, shared that many families are scared and considering unenrolling their children from school altogether. “The conversations I’ve had with parents, all they’re doing is trying to provide the best opportunity for their kids, like any parents,” he said. “They are starting to question: do I unenroll my child from school?”
Parent Reactions
Many parents like Javier Terrazas, who works in construction and has an elementary school-aged daughter, are expressing anxiety as they pick up their kids from school. “Seeing the parents’ faces, the look of fear when I go to pick up my daughter is heartbreaking,” Terrazas said. “Everybody is looking over their shoulder. I’ve never seen that.”
Mixed Responses from Schools
Meanwhile, at one of the state’s largest school districts, Oklahoma City Public Schools, officials are taking a stand. Superintendent Jamie Polk reassured parents in a letter that they would not be collecting immigration statuses from students or families, emphasizing that federal law guarantees every child the right to a public education, regardless of their immigration status.
Potential Legal Challenges
As the debate continues, Walters has shown commitment to enhancing enforcement of immigration laws, even suggesting that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents could come into Oklahoma schools. He stressed that if a law enforcement official asked for information, the schools would have to comply. “If they come and ask us for certain information, we’ll happily provide that,” Walters stated.
This situation is reminiscent of a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that affirmed the right of children living in the country illegally to access public education. However, recent discussions among conservative lawmakers have raised questions about whether this right should stand. The debate gets even more complicated considering a previous attempt in Alabama to require schools to inquire about students’ immigration status, which faced significant legal pushback.
Conclusion
As Oklahoma City grapples with this proposed rule, it is clear that the community is deeply divided. With waves of protests and alarming discussions spreading through immigrant households, the question looms: how will these changes impact the children and families trying to build a better life? Only time will tell if this rule will be enacted, but for now, apprehension fills the air.
