Oklahoma Takes Legal Action Against Biden Administration
FIRST ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL: The state of Oklahoma has initiated a lawsuit against the Biden administration, asserting it is responsible for causing “massive chaos” in the public school system, which they attribute to four years of open border policies. The action is driven by the Oklahoma State Department of Education and its Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ryan Walters.
The Legal Grounds of the Lawsuit
Filed in the Western District Court of Oklahoma, the lawsuit specifically targets President Biden’s Department of Homeland Security and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. The state is seeking reimbursement for approximately 0 million spent over the past four years to educate thousands of illegal immigrant children who have entered Oklahoma.
Impact on Oklahoma’s Public Schools
Superintendent Ryan Walters has been vocal about the strain that this influx of unaccompanied migrant children has placed on the educational system. According to data from the Oklahoma State Department of Education, the state incurs an annual cost of about ,000 per student, with nearly 3,000 unaccompanied minors placed in local schools.
Walters expressed concerns that public schools are overextended and struggling to meet the needs of both immigrants and the local populace. “We are overrun with illegal immigrants, and it’s stretching our resources thin,” he stated. “This limits opportunities for the children of taxpaying citizens.” The superintendent also pointed out that schools are unable to provide adequate resources such as certified teachers for students with limited English proficiency, transportation, and individualized education plans. These resource challenges affect not only immigrant students but the overall educational quality for all students in Oklahoma.
A Call for Government Accountability
In an impassioned statement, Walters asserted that students are ultimately the ones suffering from the chaos created by the Biden administration’s policies. He stated, “Joe Biden and Kamala Harris did this intentionally, and we’ve got students caught in the crossfire here. We have to protect them and get our states back on track in educating our kids.” This sentiment underscores the urgency he feels in addressing the issues at hand.
Future Implications for Education Funding
Despite the Biden administration’s focus on educational grants and programs, Walters criticizes the lack of action regarding border policies. He highlighted an interview with outgoing ICE Director P.J. Lechleitner, who acknowledged that the administration should have acted sooner to manage the border situation effectively. “They knew it was happening, and they didn’t do anything about it,” Walters argued.
In a broader context, Walters emphasized that this lawsuit is not just an isolated protest but part of a larger movement to hold the federal government accountable for its policies and their repercussions at the state and local levels. “We cannot just allow them to escape accountability for the chaos they have brought into our schools and our communities,” he said.
Mobilizing Support from Other States
Walters is also calling on other states to join Oklahoma’s lawsuit, suggesting that the issues affecting Oklahoma’s schools are symptomatic of a national problem related to illegal immigration. “Every state needs to grasp what illegal immigration has done to their school systems and their communities. This is about the future we are talking about; we are trying to get education back on track,” he remarked.
A Vision for Change
Walters framed the lawsuit as a crucial step towards changing the current trajectory of education in Oklahoma. He believes that by holding the current administration accountable, they can channel support back to the educational structures that serve local families. “In Oklahoma, we’re not going to tolerate Kamala Harris and Joe Biden allowing our schools to be overrun with illegal immigrants,” he concluded, laying out the state’s determination to seek justice for Oklahoma taxpayers.
Conclusion
The outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for how state governments interact with federal immigration policies, especially in relation to education funding and resources. As Oklahoma’s case unfolds, it may serve as a rallying point for other states grappling with similar challenges. The tension between state obligations and federal policies remains a pivotal concern, revealing a landscape increasingly characterized by legal battles and calls for accountability in regards to immigration and education.
