In a controversial move, the Oklahoma State Board of Education recently voted in favor of a new rule that would require parents to provide proof of citizenship or immigration status when enrolling their kids in school. The decision passed with a 6-0 vote, but it still needs approval from the state legislature and governor to become official.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters, who leads the board, defended the proposal, calling it a way to gather data on the number of students from immigrant families in Oklahoma’s schools. “This rule is simply about accounting for how many students of illegal immigrants are in our schools,” he said during the meeting. However, critics argue the move could scare immigrant families away from public schools, which are legally required to educate all children, regardless of their immigration status.

The National Immigration Law Center criticized the proposal, warning that it could discourage families from enrolling their kids. “All children have a constitutional right to equal access to education,” the group stated. They added that collecting such information could create unnecessary barriers and distract schools from their main mission: educating students.

This isn’t the first time Oklahoma has made headlines for its education policies. Last year, the state required schools to include the Bible and Ten Commandments in their curriculum. Now, with this new proposal, the state is stepping further into the national debate over immigration. Walters has even sued federal immigration officials, blaming their policies for straining Oklahoma’s public schools.

If approved, the rule would require districts to report the number of students whose parents can’t provide proof of citizenship or legal immigration status. However, the data wouldn’t include personal details about individual students. Supporters say the rule is meant to help the state better allocate resources, but opponents believe it’s an attempt to keep undocumented students from accessing public education.

As the proposal moves forward, questions remain about its legality. A 1982 Supreme Court ruling, Plyler v. Doe, guarantees all children the right to a free public education, regardless of their immigration status. Similar measures in other states, like Alabama, have faced legal challenges in the past.

For now, Oklahoma’s immigrant families are left wondering what this could mean for their children’s future. As one advocate put it, “No child should have to choose between their safety and their education.”