New Law in Colorado Allows Illegal Immigrants to Obtain Professional Licenses

Democratic Governor of Colorado, Jared Polis signed SB21-077 into law this week, allowing illegal immigrants to be able to receive professional licenses and identification. This bill eliminates the requirement of legal status and citizenship to secure a license, certification or even registration in fields like education, health and childcare.

DENVER – https://t.co/BrUfJRF9cc Statement on Professional Licensing Reform Bill (SB21-077) Being Signed Into Law & Its Positive Impact On Colorado’s Immigrants, Communities, & Economy https://t.co/NdlB2eTnnD pic.twitter.com/QhQBJe5lbU

— FWD.us (@FWDus) May 28, 2021

The law says, “The bill also specifies that lawful presence is not required of any applicant for any state or local license, certificate, or registration. The bill affirmatively states that the bill is a state law within the meaning of the federal law that gives states authority to provide for eligibility for state and local public benefits to persons who are unlawfully residing in the United States.”

The Colorado State Director of FWD.us, Marissa Molina, a DACA recipient herself, praised the law, saying, “As our state continues to face worker shortages, particularly in education and health care, we have opened the door for a new generation of nurses, teachers, and other essential workers to fill labor gaps needed to support our continued health response and long-term economic recovery.”

Molina claimed that, up until this bill was passed, immigrants in DACA programs weren’t able to practice a profession: “With the pandemic, we have seen how our health care systems have been stressed, and I personally know DACA recipients who were doing internships at hospitals and helping out in COVID units but weren’t actually able to get that nursing certification.”

This is a big deal for thousands of folks in our community! It was an honor to work with amazing students and with the one and only @jeannnnbug on this bill. We are building a Colorado for ALL. No exceptions. What a great win to celebrate during #ImmigrantHeritageMonth https://t.co/bKco8bI9Em

— Marissa Molina Q (@MarisitaMo) June 2, 2021

The passage of this law excited many foreign agents illegally living in our country. These foreign illegal immigrants voiced their happiness on Twitter. One Twitter user, in mostly English, praised this bill.

What a win for all me & undocumented people pursing a degree that requires professional licensing! 🇲🇽🎉 Gracias a Dios! https://t.co/RSf4dh8jBN

— Estefany (@estefanyjperez) June 1, 2021

A coalition group that pushes for illegal immigrants to be granted what American citizens receive praised this law, saying, “This is an important step toward creating a more diverse workforce & eliminating barriers to economic mobility. #WeAreAllWelcome”.

Last week #Colorado Gov. Polis signed SB21-077, a new law that promotes equality & inclusion by removing #immigration status as a basis for #licensure. This is an important step toward creating a more diverse workforce & eliminating barriers to economic mobility. #WeAreAllWelcome

— IMPRINT (@IMPRINTproject) June 2, 2021

There has been little to no backlash directed towards this bill from Republican lawmakers in Colorado.

Stay tuned to Media Right News for more updates.