Lawton, OK – Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters has filed a $474 million lawsuit against U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and ICE Deputy Director Peter Flores. The lawsuit, announced today, claims that the Biden administration’s border policies have caused significant financial and operational strain on Oklahoma’s public schools, resulting in millions of dollars in additional costs.
According to Walters, the influx of non-citizen students, a consequence of what he refers to as “failed border management,” has placed an undue burden on state resources. The lawsuit argues that Oklahoma taxpayers are unfairly bearing the cost of accommodating these students, which includes the need for extra programs, staff, and support services. Walters emphasizes that these costs are being diverted from educational services meant for Oklahoma’s native students.
“The Biden administration has utterly abandoned its constitutional duty to secure our nation’s borders, and now Oklahoma’s schools are paying the price,” Walters said in a statement. “Their negligence has created a crisis for our state, with resources meant for Oklahoma children being drained to address the fallout from their failed border policies.”
The lawsuit seeks compensation for the expenses incurred by Oklahoma schools as a direct result of what Walters describes as the federal government’s “open-border” policies. It argues that the influx of non-citizen students has strained state resources, forcing local school districts to reallocate funding intended for Oklahoma children’s education.
Walters also contends that the federal government’s failure to secure the border violates its constitutional responsibility to protect national security. In his view, the Biden administration’s border policies have left states like Oklahoma to manage the consequences without adequate federal support.
“This lawsuit is about accountability,” Walters added. “Hardworking Oklahomans should not have to bear the costs of the federal government’s failures. This is about ensuring our children receive the quality education they deserve, free from the strain of federal mismanagement.”
The lawsuit represents a significant step for Walters, who has long criticized the federal government’s handling of border security. It also aligns with his broader political agenda of holding the Biden administration accountable for what he sees as its neglect of both national security and state resources.
Walters has promised to continue advocating for policies that prioritize the needs of Oklahoma taxpayers and families. As the legal battle unfolds, the case is expected to spark further debates about the broader implications of U.S. immigration policy and its effects on state-level education systems.
