OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters is suing the federal government. He says he wants them to reimburse Oklahoma for the cost of educating immigrant children.
Walters claims that Oklahoma is owed approximately $474 million. He says it’s time to hold the Biden-Harris administration accountable.
“What we’ve seen are Kamala Harris and Joe Biden allow this border to be overrun, allow illegal immigrants into the state of Oklahoma and into our schools,” Walters said.
In the 20-page document, Walters says resources that should benefit Oklahoma children are instead being redirected to address the federal government’s failures.
“We want to make sure that the $474 million Oklahoma taxpayers spent to educate the children of illegal immigrants is reimbursed back to our taxpayers, so that it can go back to our schools, and make sure we’re getting the best education possible for our kids.”
Immigrant advocacy group Dream Action Oklahoma is calling this lawsuit “utterly ridiculous.” Walters filed suit Tuesday, January 14, at the U.S. Western District Court of Oklahoma.
“Frankly, I think it’s embarrassing,” Cynthia Garcia said. “While we are ranked 49th in the U.S. in education, our superintendent continues to focus on vilifying and further isolating immigrants and undocumented students instead of actually doing his job.”
When asked how he would respond to people who don’t like what he’s doing, Walters said President-elect Donald Trump has a clear illegal immigration mandate.
“We’re doing all that we can to support President Trump on that agenda,” Walters said. “The first thing is holding those individuals accountable who created this mess. We believe every state should join us in this lawsuit, and we’re proud to be the state that’s holding Joe Biden and Kamala Harris accountable.”
Walters says he believes the federal government has 30 days to respond.
ICE tells Fox 25 they don’t comment on ongoing litigation.
Our newsroom reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, but didn’t hear back. Any updates will be posted to this story.
