Oklahoma’s top education official hits Vice President Kamala Harris with a $474.9 million bill for illegal immigration costs, sparking a national debate on the financial burden of undocumented students in public schools.
At a Glance
- Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters demands $474.9 million from VP Harris for education costs related to illegal immigration
- Walters labels education of undocumented minors as the “largest unfunded mandate in the country”
- Oklahoma claims to be the first state to calculate and bill the federal administration for these costs
- Walters criticizes Harris’s oversight of the border crisis and its impact on state education budgets
- The Vice President’s office has not responded to the demand letter
Oklahoma Takes Bold Stance on Immigration Costs
In a move that’s sending shockwaves through the political landscape, Oklahoma’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ryan Walters, has taken a stand against what he sees as a crippling financial burden on the state’s education system. Walters has sent a demand letter to Vice President Kamala Harris, billing the federal government for a staggering $474.9 million in education costs allegedly stemming from illegal immigration.
I demand that @VP Harris reimburse Oklahoma taxpayers for the cost of educating illegal immigrants in our public schools, a direct result of the Biden-Harris failure to secure the border.
— Superintendent Ryan Walters (@RyanWaltersSupt) October 29, 2024
This bold move highlights the growing frustration among state officials grappling with the economic impact of federal immigration policies. Walters argues that the education of illegal immigrant minors has become “the largest unfunded mandate in the country,” placing an unfair burden on Oklahoma’s taxpayers and schools.
Calculating the Cost of Illegal Immigration
Walters, who serves as both the Superintendent of Public Instruction and Executive Officer of the Oklahoma State Department of Education, didn’t pull this figure out of thin air. He tasked his department with calculating the financial impact of educating undocumented minors on Oklahoma’s taxpayers. The result? An estimated cost of $474.9 million – a sum that Walters is now demanding from the federal government.
“As the statewide elected Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State of Oklahoma and the Executive Officer of the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), it is my duty to ensure that the resources allocated to our public schools are counted for and used in the most effective manner possible for the benefit of Oklahoma students’ education,” said Superintendent Walters.
This unprecedented action by Oklahoma could set a precedent for other states facing similar financial strains due to immigration. Walters is actively encouraging other states to follow suit, urging them to calculate and report the costs of illegal immigration to highlight the crisis’s impact on their education systems.
Obviously, the gesture is symbolic, but even if Harris were to “pay” the bill, it is actually American taxpayers who are already subsidizing the free benefits given to illegals.
Criticism of Federal Leadership
Walters isn’t mincing words when it comes to his criticism of Vice President Harris’s role in the ongoing border crisis. As the administration’s point person on border issues, Harris has faced significant backlash for what many see as a failure to address the root causes of illegal immigration.
“Under your supervision, the costs in education due to illegal immigration have risen astronomically, he said. “Your failed oversight and efforts are a direct cause of the current crises Oklahoma and other states now face. Oklahoma taxpayers, schools, teachers, and parents should not bear the burden of your failings. They deserve better.”
The superintendent’s demand letter doesn’t just highlight the financial burden; it’s a direct challenge to the federal government’s handling of immigration policy. Walters argues that the administration’s failures are directly impacting state resources, particularly in education.
A Call for Accountability
While Walters acknowledges the unlikelihood of receiving a response or remittance from the administration, his actions serve a greater purpose. By putting a price tag on the impact of illegal immigration on education, he’s forcing a national conversation about the true costs of current immigration policies.
“Since she’s been the border czar, she’s failed our country, Walters said.
This move by Oklahoma’s education chief is more than just a financial demand; it’s a call for accountability and a spotlight on the complex interplay between federal immigration policies and state-level education funding. As other states watch closely, this bold action could spark a nationwide reassessment of how we calculate and address the costs associated with illegal immigration in our public education system.
