Jenkins Responds After Student Immigration Data Amendment Is Tabled
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Molly Jenkins, R-Coyle, issued the following statement today after defending the amendment she filed to Senate Joint Resolution 22 , which addressed the immigration status of students, before it was ultimately tabled. "I brought this amendment forward because the people of Oklahoma deserve to know how their tax dollars are being used," Jenkins said. "The rule would have required a simple headcount of non-citizen students in our schools. That’s not just reasonable, it’s responsible." During her debate on Wednesday, Jenkins, vice chair of the House Administrative Rules Committee, challenged the notion that Plyler v. Doe prohibits the collection of immigration-related data. "Opponents of the amendment like to hide behind Plyler v. Doe, which says we must provide an education for students here illegally, and we are," she continued. "But nothing in that ruling prevents us from tracking where public funds are going. We are not denying services. We are demanding transparency." Jenkins argued that the Oklahoma State Department of Education's proposed data collection would only involve one aggregate figure and would not require students or their families to provide their names or any personal information beyond their immigration status. "We have clear statutory authority to collect this kind of data, and we should," Jenkins argued. "The State Department of Education proposed this rule because illegal immigration is placing a growing burden on our schools. Biden’s reckless open border policies have left Oklahoma families footing the bill." Jenkins said Oklahomans have a right to know what is happening in their schools and how their tax dollars are being spent. "Oklahomans deserve to know what’s going on in their public education system, from enrollment numbers to funding formulas," she said. "This amendment was just the first step. I'll continue to pursue legislation to ensure full transparency, accountability, and a real look at the impacts of this border crisis on our classrooms. We owe it to Oklahoma families to be honest, to be accountable and to act." After a motion was made to table the amendment to SJR22, Jenkins requested a division vote rather than the standard voice vote. Although the amendment was tabled, Jenkins made it clear she will continue to fight for Oklahomans. "I called for called for a division vote to hold members publicly accountable for their stance," Jenkins concluded. "Oklahomans sent me here to stand up for them, and that’s exactly what I’ll keep doing, loudly, clearly and without backing down."