Oklahoma Republicans clash over asking schoolchildren for citizenship status
A proposal approved by the state's Board of Education exposed divisions over how far should states go to enforce President Donald Trump's immigration policies.
OKLAHOMA CITY — A messy fight over President Donald Trump’s policies is exploding into public view here as members of the Republican Party argue among themselves over how far is too far in helping the federal government enforce immigration laws.
Last month, the state Board of Education approved a proposal that would require public school districts in Oklahoma to ask parents for proof of citizenship before they enroll their kids. The proposal now heads to the Republican-led Legislature, but if lawmakers sign off, the governor has said he’ll veto it.
Ryan Walters, the state school superintendent, is a staunch supporter of Trump who has been outspoken nationally about working with the federal government to further the administration’s agenda.
Schools Superintendent Ryan Walters is interviewed by Gabe Gutierrez at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City on Thursday.Olympia Sonnier / NBC News“To be clear, I will always stand with President Trump and enforce his executive orders, especially when it comes to illegal immigration and the cost to our schools,” he said Thursday at the beginning of a contentious board meeting.
Later, Walters blasted his critics in an interview.
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