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Oklahoma governor says he opposes a proposed rule to collect students’ immigration information
Summary
The governor told business, faith and Latino leaders he opposed a proposed rule that would require schools to collect students’ immigration information, saying "putting kids on a list is not something that I think we should do," and that the rule created unnecessary turmoil for families and employers.
The governor told a roundtable of business, faith and Latino leaders he opposes a proposed rule that would require schools to collect students’ immigration information and place some children on a list, saying the rule created unnecessary turmoil for families and employers.
"Putting kids on a list is not something that I think we should do," the governor said, describing pushback from the hospitality, restaurant and construction industries that said employees were "really, really scared and nervous about sending their kids to school." He said he intervened because the rule was not what he believes national immigration enforcement is intended to do and because it was causing local disruption.
The governor framed his position alongside strong support for federal border enforcement, saying that enforcement of criminal immigration violations and border security are distinct from a policy that would require schools to gather students’ immigration status. He said governors are seeking more flexibility from the federal government on workforce permits and suggested states should have a greater role in matching workers to employers under potential federal reforms.
On broader migration metrics, the governor cited numbers comparing releases from the southern border under different federal administrations; those figures were presented during the discussion as part of his argument that border enforcement had improved and that the proposed school reporting rule was an unnecessary additional measure. He said the roundtable sought his help to reverse or oppose the rule and that he had committed to assist.
Discussion versus decision: leaders described the governor’s position as opposition and advocacy; no formal state rule change or legislative action was reported at the news conference. The governor said he would work with interested groups to try to change the rule and ease community concerns.
The remarks were framed as the governor’s political and policy response to a proposed administrative rule rather than a statutory change or enacted regulation at the time of the event.
