State leaders respond to rule monitoring citizenship at school
The news of the rule is causing some to worry for their children's futures, and now state leaders are sending a reminder not to panic.
'At the end of the day, these kids are like any other, wanting to achieve their dreams, and education is a vehicle for them to be able to do that,' said Representative Alonso Sandoval, D-Oklahoma City.
Legal experts say OSDE citizenship rule likely to face lawsuits
The rule to monitor U.S. Citizenship in schools is causing some to push back and say it's unlawful.
'The rules that were proposed and passed by the state department of education go up against the constitution of the state of Oklahoma and the National Constitution as well that grants every child the right to a free and public education, regardless of citizenship status,' said Representative Sandoval.
On Wednesday, Governor Kevin Stitt addressed immigration from a criminal standpoint.
'We have about 536 people incarcerated in state prisons that are here illegally. They've committed crimes, are here illegally,' said Governor Kevin Stitt.
While Governor Stitt didn't address the rule at the press conference, News 4 followed up with an email asking for the governor's response.
OSDE passes rule to require citizenship status of families
Governor Stitt's team sent a statement:
The Governor is focused on getting those who have committed crimes while here illegally out of Oklahoma. That is why he initiated Operation Guardian. He'll continue to work to protect all four million Oklahomans.
The Office of the Governor
While the rule to monitor legal status in schools has yet to be approved, state leaders are reassuring families who might have concerns about sending their children to the classroom.
'At this point one thing that we can assure them is that children ultimately would be able to complete the semester without having to be worried about any kind of unwanted questions as far as citizenship or anything else,' said Senator Michael Brooks-Jimenez, D-Oklahoma City.
News 4 also followed up with the governor's office asking more specifically if he would support the rule should it pass legislature and make it to his desk, but did not hear back.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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