Students in Oklahoma schools would required to show proof of U.S. citizenship during the enrollment process, under a new plan being floated by State School Superintendent Ryan Walters.
“We’re announcing a new rule that requires schools to turn over information about illegal immigration,” Walters said in a video posted to X.
Walters said illegal immigrants put a greater burden on U.S. taxpayers and said they’re “bringing fentanyl and increasing crime.”
He said schools would be required to report the citizenship data to his office.
The plan still has to be approved by the State Board of Education and state lawmakers.
Federal law prohibits schools from directly checking a student’s immigration status.
But Walters’ plan would require schools to report to his office the number of students that fail to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, which would allow him to track the rate of illegal immigrant children enrolled in schools.