Counting illegal students legislation
JESSE WELLS
6:53 PM CDT, March 26, 2010

OKLAHOMA CITY - A new immigration battle is brewing at Oklahoma's state capitol. Some in the Latino community are voicing concerns over a house bill that would require schools to get proof of citizenship from each of their students.

School districts would be asked to submit an annual report, detailing the number of non-citizen students and describing how that impacts the quality of education provided to legal students.

Some worry illegal immigrant parents will keep their kids out of school for fear of being deported.

"Their intent is to kick them out using their kids. They're going to hurt the kids and go through them to depart the parents," worries Franco Cevallos.

On the other hand, the bill's supporters say their goal is far from sinister.

"We just want to see how much money is being spent on people who are not citizens of Oklahoma," said Rep. Sally Kern.

The bill passed through the house by a comfortable margin earlier this month.

It's now in the hands of the state senate.
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