The state of Oklahoma has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration, accusing it of causing “massive chaos” in the state’s public school system through lax border policies over the past four years.
The lawsuit, initiated by the Oklahoma State Department of Education and Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters, targets the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It demands that the administration reimburse Oklahoma approximately $470 million spent on educating thousands of illegal immigrant children since 2021.
Walters told Fox News Digital that public schools are “overrun with illegal immigrants,” stretching resources thin and limiting opportunities for the children of hardworking, taxpaying Oklahomans. According to state data, Oklahoma spends about $11,000 per student annually, and nearly 3,000 unaccompanied migrant children have been placed in the state during Biden’s presidency.
Walters highlighted the challenges schools face in meeting the needs of these students, including finding certified teachers for those with limited English proficiency, providing transportation, and creating individualized education plans. He argued that these burdens strain budgets and lower the overall quality of education for all students.
“It truly is chaos in the school system,” Walters said. “And who’s suffering here? It’s the students. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris did this intentionally, and we’ve got students caught in the crossfire. We must protect them and restore our education system.”
Despite the approaching transition to President-elect Donald Trump, Walters emphasized that Oklahoma taxpayers are still grappling with the financial consequences of Biden’s policies. He also cited remarks from outgoing ICE Director P.J. Lechleitner, who admitted in an NBC interview that the Biden administration “absolutely” should have acted sooner to address the border crisis.
This legal challenge underscores the growing frustration among state officials over the federal government’s handling of immigration and its ripple effects on local communities.
