Wisconsin legislation allows DACA recipients to apply for licensure
Wisconsin recently enacted a bipartisan workforce-focused licensing reform allowing DACA recipients to obtain occupational licenses in the state, a change designed to remove barriers that previously prevented individuals with federal work authorization under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program from entering regulated professions. The law enables eligible DACA holders to apply for credentials across a wide range of fields—including health care, trades, and business occupations—through the state’s Department of Safety and Professional Services, provided they maintain valid federal employment authorization documents. Supporters, including Governor Tony Evers and workforce advocates, argue the measure helps address labor shortages (particularly in nursing and other high-demand sectors), improves workforce retention by allowing long-term residents to work in the state where they were raised, and reduces unnecessary licensing barriers that previously forced some individuals to leave Wisconsin to practice their professions. The policy was framed primarily as an economic and workforce development initiative rather than an immigration measure, though it drew debate around broader questions of eligibility, immigration status, and the appropriate scope of state licensing rules.