On January 27, 2025, Oklahoma State School Superintendent Ryan Walters found himself in a heated debate with CNN anchor Brianna Keilar over a controversial issue: the potential for ICE raids in schools. The discussion centered around whether it would be traumatic for students to witness such raids and how it would affect the overall school environment.
The disagreement started when Keilar played a video of Walters on a local news channel, where he suggested that if the Trump administration decided that ICE raids in schools were necessary, he would support them. In the video, Walters stated, “If that’s what President Trump deems necessary to address illegal immigration in schools, I absolutely support it.”
Keilar, clearly concerned, asked Walters directly: “Do you think it would be traumatic for students to witness ICE raids in their schools, especially seeing children being taken away?”
Walters initially avoided answering the question directly, focusing on his belief that illegal immigration has harmed the education system. “My main concern is what illegal immigration is doing to our schools. It’s creating chaos and making it hard to provide resources to our students,” Walters said.
But Keilar wasn’t satisfied with his answer and pressed him again, asking whether the trauma of seeing a raid in school would affect all students, not just those involved. She repeated her question, trying to steer him toward a direct answer. Walters continued to avoid her question, instead discussing his support for immigration policies under the Trump administration. He argued that deporting parents without separating families could be more harmful to children.
In an attempt to redirect the conversation, Walters said, “The trauma would come from not enforcing the law properly. The real harm is if children lose their parents without understanding why. We need to make sure we’re handling these situations in a way that keeps families together.”
Keilar countered, saying, “That’s not what I’m asking. I want to know if you think it would be traumatic for children to witness ICE raids at their schools. Please answer my question.”
The interview ended with Walters repeatedly stating that he supported the Trump administration’s policies, without providing a clear response to whether he thought ICE raids would be harmful to students emotionally.
This exchange also highlighted a new proposal approved by the Oklahoma Board of Education, which suggests that parents must disclose their children’s immigration status. This proposal has sparked concerns among educators and community members, who worry about the potential for discrimination and fear among students. While the proposal has been approved by the Board of Education, it still needs approval from the state legislature and the governor to become law.
This ongoing debate raises significant questions about the role of schools in addressing immigration issues and the potential impact of government policies on vulnerable students. As the proposal moves through the political process, many are left wondering whether these policies will create fear and division in Oklahoma’s schools or if they will be part of a broader effort to enforce immigration laws more strictly.
(Source : foxnews.com)
