Joseph De Avila | September 1, 2020 | Wall Street Journal |
Growing list of states no longer require lawful presence in U.S. to qualify for jobs like teacher, nurse
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation allowing illegal immigrants to obtain professional or occupational licenses for the first time.
New Jerseyans can no longer be denied a license for a position like a teacher or nurse based on their immigration status if they meet the other job requirements, according to the measure the governor signed into law Tuesday. There are about 475,000 immigrants residing in New Jersey illegally, according to the Pew Research Center.
“This eliminates a roadblock. There had been many put up against our immigrant families and communities, against our Dreamers,” said Mr. Murphy, referring to recipients of the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. “This is yet another one that will be removed.”
“They really had the opportunity to be ready and able to step up when our state needed them the most,” Ms. Pou said. “We should be able to give those opportunities to folks that are prepared and ready to go.”
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