Hernandez Legislation to Protect Dreamers and Others from Being Denied Professional Licenses

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, has introduced legislation that will ensure that Dreamers and others are able to work in jobs that require state professional licenses and not be discriminated against.

“Over six months have passed since Donald Trump shamefully ended the DACA program and there still seems to be no clear path forward on the DREAM Act,” Hernandez said. “Without protected status, thousands of talented young people across Illinois risk the ability of being able to work. The time has come for us to take matters into our own hands and put protections in place that enable people to take care of their families and contribute to our economy.”

Hernandez is sponsoring House Bill 5097, which would prohibit the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) from denying someone a license based solely on the fact that they are not a United States citizen, if:

• The United States Department of Homeland Security has approved the person’s request for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA);
• The person’s DACA has not expired or has been properly renewed; and
• The person has a current, valid employment authorization document issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The measure was approved by the Business & Occupational Licenses Committee this week, and now heads to the House floor for consideration.

“It is an absolute disgrace that Illinois’ 42,000 Dreamers have a governor who has cowardly stood on the sidelines while everything they’ve ever known has been at risk of being yanked away from them by Donald Trump,” Hernandez said. “While the Trust Act was a major victory for immigrant communities, our work is far from done.”