Overview

• The Oklahoma State Board of Education has approved a proposal requiring families to provide proof of U.S. citizenship when enrolling children in public schools.
• The proposed rule also mandates schools to report the number of undocumented students to the state education department.
• Critics argue that the measure violates the 1982 Supreme Court ruling in Plyler v. Doe, which guarantees all children access to public education regardless of immigration status.
• State Superintendent Ryan Walters defends the proposal as a means to gather data on undocumented students and manage educational resources effectively.
• Advocacy groups and legal experts warn the rule could discourage undocumented families from enrolling their children and predict it will face significant legal hurdles.