Seeks answers to how executive order to end taxpayer subsidization of illegal immigration will impact Oklahoma schools
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters has formally requested an opinion from Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond regarding the impact of President Donald J. Trump’s recent executive order on federally funded public school programs in Oklahoma.
“I am fully committed to ensuring that Oklahoma is a strong partner in advancing President Trump’s agenda for public education,” said Walters. “Taxpayer dollars should be used to support the education of American students, not to subsidize or create a magnet for illegal immigration. We must ensure compliance with the President’s executive order and take the necessary steps to uphold the rule of law in our schools.”
The executive order, issued on February 19, 2025, aims to prevent taxpayer resources from supporting illegal immigration by directing federal agencies to identify and correct programs that allow illegal aliens to receive public benefits.
Many Oklahoma public school programs, including Title I, school nutrition programs, and English language proficiency programs, receive federal funding and could be affected by the order. Superintendent Walters is seeking clarification on how Oklahoma schools must respond and has specifically asked the following two questions:
1. Does this executive order affect federally funded school programs in Oklahoma?
2. If it does, what steps should the Oklahoma State Department of Education take to comply with it? The full letter sent to the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office is attached to this email.
