Governor Stitt Stands Firm on Immigration Enforcement, Election Security

OKLAHOMA CITY (February 27, 2026) - In a letter responding to the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus today, Governor Kevin Stitt outlined his conservative record and views on immigration and election security:

To the Members of the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus,

I write to you as a fellow conservative, a fellow Oklahoman, and as your governor—with both appreciation for our shared values and clarity about where our paths have diverged.

We agree on more than you may know. As Governor, I have directed every available tool to enforce immigration law in Oklahoma. My Oklahoma State Highway Patrol has executed multiple successful operations under the federal 287(g) program, making Oklahoma a top 3 state nationally for apprehending illegal immigrants with serious criminal records. I support ending birthright citizenship and have made my position known as this matter moves through the courts. I support E-Verify. I support ending taxpayer-funded incentives that create jobs filled by visa holders rather than American citizens. And I am proud to stand with Speaker Kyle Hilbert in his efforts to end welfare benefits for non-citizens.

On these issues, we are aligned.

However, I must respectfully disagree on your opposition to our efforts to bolster vetting of fraud and protect election integrity. Members of your Caucus pursued legal action to block Oklahoma from joining 47 other states in a driver’s license data-sharing agreement specifically designed to strengthen public safety and prevent benefits and credential fraud.

Let me give you one concrete example of why these partnerships matters. When my Highway Patrol was conducting joint operations with ICE along I-40, we discovered that the State of New York was issuing driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. That is unacceptable—and it is exactly the kind of vulnerability that cross-state data sharing is designed to expose and eliminate. Without these partnerships, Oklahoma is operating blind, and bad actors know it.

The only two states declining to participate in this program with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrations that you protested are California and Illinois—states I doubt this Caucus wishes to emulate. Your members said as much publicly, and I believe Oklahoma voters deserve to know that some of their elected representatives chose to weaken our ID infrastructure rather than strengthen it. Make no mistake: creating those kinds of vulnerabilities does not protect Oklahoma’s sovereignty. It invites a federalized election system, which may suit some, but it does not suit Oklahomans.

I believe in federalism. I believe states should lead. But leading means doing the hard work of building systems that protect citizens—not blocking them. I remain committed to working alongside any member of this Caucus on the shared ground we hold.

Respectfully,
Governor Kevin Stitt

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