Oklahoma City (AP) — Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said plans will be suspended by the state’s top education officer to collect immigration status for children when enrolling in public schools.
The Republican governor said Wednesday he is a solid opponent of illegal immigration, but policymakers should focus on targeting the nation’s people for illegally committing other crimes. I stated.
“Collecting addresses and immigration status for children aged 6, 7 and 8 in Oklahoma is not a public safety issue,” said Stitt, governor for the second term, which is term-limited in 2026. It’s there. Let’s not let our children appear in school after those committing crimes and not be terrified. ”
State Principal Ryan Walters pushed the proposal forward Approved by the state board of education Last month, it infuriated teachers and civic libertarians and promoted fear in the immigrant community.
“The governor’s sound refusal to fundamental attempts to undermine the right to education is the result of the coordinated advocacy of parents, educators and advocates across Oklahoma who have mobilized to oppose it,” according to the National Center for Immigration Law. The president said. In a statement.
The proposed rules requiring approval of the governor before it comes into effect include the parent or law when registering with a public school, including a US birth certificate, a US passport, an overseas consular report, or a permanent consular report. requires parents to provide evidence of their children’s citizenship. Resident cards or other legal documents.
Stitt also said this week that he was dissatisfied with the idea that children are being used as “political pawns.”
In a statement, Walters said the two board members who were taken to the Trump Advisory Committee would “continue to fight the liberal DC swamps that are leaking to the administrative division of Oklahoma.”
Stitt’s move shows fatigue among elected Republicans with the Walters. Attacks what he describes as an ideology In public schools Bible instructions are required I’ll try it in the classroom Books are prohibited From the school library.
Walters has not announced plans to run for another office, but has been frequently mentioned as a potential candidate for governor or lieutenant governor in 2026.
“These people are running for the next office,” Stitt said Wednesday. “They are playing politics and are trying to name papers. Oklahomans can see through it.”
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