Immigration

This bill requires parents or guardians enrolling children in Oklahoma public or charter schools to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or legal immigration status using specific documents like passports, permanent resident cards, driver licenses, Social Security cards, or birth certificates. School districts must track and report the number of students whose parents could not provide this documentation to the state education department, but the law explicitly states that children cannot be denied education based on this requirement. The bill also prohibits schools from recording individual students' citizenship or immigration status information, allowing only aggregate counts of undocumented enrollment. It takes effect on July 1, 2025, and includes an emergency clause to allow immediate implementation.

HB 3787 requires all candidates for municipal, county, or school board positions in Oklahoma to meet the state's basic voting eligibility requirements as defined in the Oklahoma Constitution. This means candidates must be U.S. citizens, residents of the district, and otherwise qualified to vote in Oklahoma elections. The bill amends existing election laws to enforce this standard for all state, county, municipal, and school board offices, effective November 1, 2026. It does not change the specific requirements but ensures candidates already must meet these standards.

SB 407 requires Oklahoma public school districts receiving federal funds under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) for English learner programs to dedicate 50% of those funds to professional development for teachers who teach English as a second language. This applies specifically to districts using ESSA funds to support students with limited English proficiency. The bill mandates this allocation as a direct policy change, with no additional requirements beyond the funding reallocation. It takes effect immediately upon passage due to an emergency declaration.

HB 2050 creates a new temporary licensure pathway for international medical graduates in Oklahoma who cannot immediately qualify for full licensure. It allows these applicants to obtain a limited license if they meet ECFMG standards, provide evidence of three years of post-graduate training or clinical practice abroad, secure employment at an accredited health care provider, and pass an English competency exam. During the limited license period (up to three years), they must practice only under supervision at an approved training program. After three years with no disciplinary issues and passing all USMLE exams, they may qualify for full licensure without the prior practice restrictions. This directly affects foreign-trained physicians seeking to practice in Oklahoma.

SB 1287 amends Oklahoma's Abstractors Act to update license qualification standards for abstractors. It directly affects individuals applying for abstractor licenses by requiring applicants to have legal U.S. work authorization, reside in or be physically present in the United States, and not have certain criminal convictions that pose a threat to public safety or relate to abstracting duties. The bill clarifies that the Oklahoma Abstractors Board may deny licenses based on these criteria, defining "poses a reasonable threat" as criminal conduct involving harm to others and "substantially relates" as direct bearing on abstracting duties. Licenses remain valid for one year with a maximum $150 renewal fee. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026.

SB 544 creates an Identity Verification Unit (IVU) within Oklahoma's Department of Public Safety to investigate fraudulent identification documents, including those used by individuals unlawfully residing in the state. It requires all driver's license applicants (with exceptions for seniors over 65 and minors under 18 needing parental consent) to provide fingerprint scans for identity verification. The bill restricts access to fingerprint data to law enforcement only with a court order (except for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation in specific cases like identifying deceased or missing persons). It also updates laws against fraudulent licenses and mandates new rules for Service Oklahoma. The bill was enacted as an emergency measure and signed into law on May 3, 2025.

SB 1315 prohibits individuals from countries designated as "countries of particular concern" by the U.S. Department of State from enrolling in Oklahoma's public higher education institutions starting with the 2026-2027 academic year. The bill directly affects international students from those specific countries, barring their enrollment in the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education will create implementing rules to carry out the policy. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and was declared an emergency to allow immediate implementation.

HB 3551 changes Oklahoma's rules for in-state college tuition eligibility. It requires students without legal U.S. immigration status to provide proof of an active application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (via the federal SAVE Program) to qualify for resident tuition, rather than using a simple affidavit. This directly affects undocumented students or those with pending immigration status seeking in-state tuition at Oklahoma public colleges. The bill also clarifies that students who already qualified for resident tuition before the 2006-2007 academic year remain exempt from these new verification rules. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

HB 3914, the Civil Liberties Protection Act, prohibits Oklahoma state agencies and local governments from using public funds or taking actions that assist federal efforts violating constitutional rights. It specifically bans sharing pregnancy-related data or religious affiliation information with federal authorities for enforcement purposes and invalidates existing agreements requiring such data. The law creates a legal cause of action for citizens if state entities unlawfully cooperate with federal actions, and requires the Attorney General to defend affected Oklahomans while reporting on federal requests for assistance. This bill directly affects state agencies, political subdivisions, and their contractors by restricting their interactions with federal programs.

SB 1554 prohibits nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) like nonprofits, faith groups, and advocacy organizations from providing material support - such as food, shelter, transportation, or financial aid - to asylum seekers or individuals without legal immigration status in Oklahoma. Violating this law makes an NGO permanently ineligible for state or local funding, and individuals directing violations face felony charges (1-5 years in prison or $50,000 fines). The bill explicitly excludes law enforcement activities from its scope and declares an emergency to take effect immediately upon approval. This legislation directly affects NGOs receiving state funds and aims to limit support for undocumented individuals within Oklahoma.