New Jersey allows illegal immigrants to obtain professional licenses

New Jersey has signed a bill to remove barriers to professional licenses for immigrants across the state. The details are shared by the publication northjersey.com.

About the law

Undocumented immigrants can now obtain professional licenses in New Jersey, provided they meet all other requirements under a bill signed October 13 by Governor Phil Murphy.

During a virtual signing ceremony broadcast live on Facebook, Murphy said that passing the bill in New Jersey is "the right and the smartest" thing to do. It will help fill labor shortages in the medical professions and other fields for immigrants, including so-called dreamers (recipients of DACA, a program that protects against deportation of illegal immigrants brought to the United States by children). “This bill is a good idea no matter what, but God knows, the stress and stress for our healthcare professions has made it timely and urgent,” said the mayor of New Jersey, referring to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has killed thousands. in state.

The bill, he said, "removes barriers to immigrant families and communities."

The sweeping legislation is the first on the east coast to remove all immigration barriers to professional licenses, immigration lawyers say.

Similar laws also apply in Nevada, California and New Mexico.

List of professions requiring licenses

In New Jersey to professions and professions requiring licenses, belongs to: accountants, architects, acupuncture specialists, doctors, audiologists, beauticians, court reporters, beauticians, dentists, engineers, real estate inspectors, undertakers, nurses, occupational therapists, optometrists, pharmacists, plumbers, real estate appraisers, social workers, veterinarians ...

The law is effective immediately, noted Paul Rodriguez, et. about. the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, who will oversee its implementation.

New Jersey has 51 professional licensing councils that collectively license about 750 people in 175 professions in the state. Boards consider education and training requirements before approving licenses.

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Rodriguez added that the office has received many calls from residents who have the necessary training but do not meet certain living requirements. He said that many of them are "dreamers." “Eliminating residency requirements will give immigrant students, regardless of their status, an incentive to complete their education, integrate into the professional world, and contribute more to the development and strengthening of our state's society and economy,” he said.

Rodriguez noted that the department is currently making adjustments to the application forms. At the same time, according to him, those who meet all the requirements for a license are invited to contact the appropriate licensing council.

Opponents and supporters of the law

This law has many critics. Some of them said it would allow non-legal immigrants to compete for professional jobs that could be filled by legal residents and US citizens. Several people who watched the virtual signing commented on their dissatisfaction with the bill.

Others said the law is a way to get around federal laws. Federal law prohibits employers from hiring anyone illegally residing in the country, but immigrants of any legal status can work as independent contractors or start a business using a social security number or individual tax identification number.

Erika Martinez, founder of Make the Road New Jersey, an immigrant advocacy organization based in Elizabeth, says lawyers, including undocumented immigrants, have pushed for the bill for two years. She said she had met many immigrants who could benefit from the law. “We met with electricians, nursing assistants and CPAs who graduated from their training but were unable to work in their specialty in New Jersey,” she said.

According to The Migration Policy Institute, about 97, or 23% of the 526 undocumented New Jersey residents have a bachelor's, graduate's, or specialist's degree.

Estrella Rivas of Elizabeth is a student at Rutgers University in New Brunswick who wants to pursue a career in medicine. She was on the conference call and talked about why legislation is so important for immigrants like her.

Rivas moved to the United States from El Salvador when she was five years old. She was in high school when she began to understand what it means to be undocumented. She did well in school, especially in science and math classes, and began thinking about medical education to help her family.

Rivas said the pandemic has only increased her interest in serving the community. “Since more than 100 people in New Jersey fell ill and too many died, I stood on the sidelines, although I was eager to help,” she said. - Today everything has changed. Today New Jersey is opening up opportunities across the state for immigrants who are willing to serve. "

State Senator Nellie Pou, one of the lead sponsors of the bill, said she was pleased to propose "progressive legislation" to remove "outdated" barriers to professional licenses. “Today is a very important historic day,” she said.