New report urging licensing for undocumented immigrants

On September 19th, a coalition of immigrant advocacy organizations released a report calling for expanding state occupational licensing programs to DACA recipients, TPS holders, and other immigrants. The organizations call on Congress to enact federal legislation rescinding prohibitions on professional licensing based on immigration status and advocating for Congressional funding to encourage passage of occupational licensing for immigrants at the state level.

The report urges: (1) Congress to enact legislation ending the federal and state prohibitions on occupational licenses for DACA recipients, TPS holders, and all immigrants with work permits; (2) Congress and states to enact non-discrimination prohibitions for occupational licenses; and (3) states to implement other policies to increase portability and access to licenses; and (3) State legislatures, agencies, and licensing boards should implement legislation, regulations, or policies that prohibit the denial of professional, commercial, and business licenses based on immigration status.

These reports build on the work of Michael Olivas, who catalogued the state of play for licensing in many occupations in this law review article. 

MHC