SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – “Dreamers” will be ensured of eligibility to teach, practice law and receive other state professional licenses under legislation backed by state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, taking effect on Jan. 1, 2019.

“It’s been over a year since Donald Trump shamefully ended the DACA program and there still seems to be no clear path forward on the DREAM Act,” Hernandez said. “At the state-level, we’ve taken matters into our own hands to protect our 42,400 Dreamers and ensure that they are able to continue taking care of their families and contributing to our economy.”

Hernandez worked to ensure Dreamers aren’t denied professional licenses based on their immigration status by introducing House Bill 5097 and supporting the Health Care Licenses Act, Senate Bill 3109.  The Hernandez-backed Senate Bill 3109 will ensure that individuals with an active or renewed DACA status and a valid employment authorization document have the right to:

• Receive professional licensure from the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (DFPR);
• Receive a Professional Educators License (PEL) and endorsement under the School Code, from the Illinois State Board of Education; and
• Receive a license to practice law, issued by the Supreme Court of Illinois.

“Dreamers and immigrants play a crucial role in our society and we’ve made tremendous gains in Illinois to protect them,” Hernandez said. “I look forward to working with a more progressive incoming Legislature and governor to fight back against Trump’s xenophobic agenda. Our work is far from done.”

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Legislación Apoyada por Hernández Protegiendo Dreamers de ser Negados Licencias Profesionales Tomará Efecto

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – “Dreamers” serán asegurados la elegibilidad de enseñar, practicar la ley y recibir otras licencias profesionales estatales como resultado de legislación apoyada por la represéntate estatal Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernández, D-Cícero, y cual tomará efecto el 1 de enero de 2019.

“A pasado más de un año desde que Donald Trump vergonzosamente termino el programa de DACA y todavía no hay un camino claro para aprobar el DREAM Act,” dijo Hernández. “Al nivel estatal hemos aprobado medidas para proteger a nuestros 42,400 Dreamers y asegurar que puedan continuar proveyendo para sus familias y contribuyendo a nuestra economía.”

Hernández trabajo para asegurar que Dreamers no sean negados licencias profesionales basado en sus estatus migratorio al introducir House Bill 5097 y apoyar Senate Bill 3109. La medida apoyada por Hernández asegurará que individuos con un estatus de DACA activo o renovado y una autorización de empleo valida tengan el derecho a:

• Recibir una licencia profesional del Departamento de Finanzas y Regulación Professional;
• Recibir una licencia de Educador Profesional y aprobación bajo el Código Escolar de la Junta de Educación de Illinois; y
• Recibir una licencia para practicar la ley cual es aprobada por la Corte Suprema de Illinois.

“Dreamers e inmigrantes son miembros esenciales de nuestras comunidades y hemos hecho tremendo progreso en Illinois para protegerlos,” dijo Hernández. “Estoy lista para continuar luchando contra la xenofobia de Trump con una legislatura y gobernador más progresista. Todavía hay mucho trabajo que hacer.”

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.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. –State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, released the following statement after the Governor Rauner’s State of the State Address:

“While Donald Trump attempted to snatch health care coverage away from millions of Illinois residents, Governor Rauner—despite the many calls to action—stayed silent. When Donald Trump eliminated the DACA program and has since attempted to fuel hatred and fear towards Illinois’ 42,000 DREAMers, Governor Rauner has stayed silent.

“Today he had the opportunity to present the General Assembly with a plan to move our state forward but he gave us nothing more than empty political rhetoric. This is not time for games. Our state, schools, families, and businesses are suffering because of his inability and unwillingness to lead.

“The livelihood of 42,000 young people is at stake. Local schools in my community have yet to receive the $20 million in additional funding they were promised. I’m not going to sit back and let Governor Rauner and Donald Trump fail our families. Our communities need solutions, so the General Assembly must work together among itself to move our state forward.”

CICERO, Ill. – With Congress nearing the end of its scheduled session, state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, is urging Gov. Bruce Rauner to call on his fellow Republicans in Washington to help pass the DREAM (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) Act before leaving town for the holidays:

“It is cruel and unacceptable for members of Congress to return home to their families while 800,000 young people are left in limbo wondering if this will be the last Christmas they’ll enjoy with theirs. With each day that passes, these young immigrants come closer to losing their ability to work and contribute to their communities. There is already bipartisan legislation with broad public support waiting to be voted on, yet Washington Republicans are sitting idly and allowing people to live in fear of losing everything they have ever known.

“Dreamers were raised in this country and educated in our local schools. They are community members, students, teachers, nurses and engineers. They pay taxes, and contribute to our economy just like everyone else. They are American in every aspect except for one, on paper.

“Governors across the country have come out against Donald Trump’s shameful actions, so I urge Gov. Bruce Rauner to do the same and to call on his fellow Republicans to pass the DREAM Act. There are 42,000 Dreamers in Illinois, and they need a leader who is not afraid to do what’s right; to be on the side of keeping families together.”

Spanish translation: 

CICERO, Ill. – Con el Congreso acercándose al final de su sesión programada, la representante estatal Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernández, D-Cícero, le está urgiendo al Gobernador Bruce Rauner que le demande a sus compañeros republicanos en Washington a que ayuden a aprobar el DREAM (Ley de fomento para el progreso, alivio y educación para menores extranjeros) Act antes que se acabe su sesión este año:

“Es cruel e inaceptable que miembros del Congreso regresen a casa con sus familias mientras 800,000 personas pasaran su Navidad preguntándose si esta será la última vez que la disfrutarán con sus seres queridos. Con cada día que pasa, la posibilidad de perder la capacidad de trabajar y contribuir a la comunidad aumenta para estos jóvenes. Ya hay legislación con amplio apoyo público esperando a ser considerada, pero los republicanos en Washington están dejando pasar el tiempo, permitiendo que las personas vivan con el miedo de perder todo.

“Dreamers fueron criados en este país, educados en nuestras escuelas. Estos jóvenes son miembros de la comunidad, son estudiantes, maestros, enfermeros e ingenieros. Ellos pagan impuestos, y contribuyen a nuestra economía como todos los demás. Son americanos en todo aspecto menos uno, en papel.

“Gobernadores alrededor del país han denunciado las acciones de Donald Trump, así que le urjo al Gobernador Bruce Rauner que haga lo mismo y que le demande a sus compañeros republicanos que aprueben el DREAM Act. Hay 42,000 Dreamers en Illinois, y necesitan un líder que no tenga miedo a hacer lo justo, luchar para mantener a las familias juntas.”