The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation issued new proposed rules late Friday afternoon that would restrict illegal aliens from obtaining or renewing commercial or professional licenses.
Under the changes announced by TDLR, the agency would be required to verify applicant eligibility and force applicants to prove their legal presence in America, outlining the various documents they may use to do so, in order to qualify for occupational licensing. Anyone who fails to present the verification that they are either a U.S. citizen or a lawfully present non-citizen may be denied, TDLR said Friday.
“The proposed rules are necessary to ensure that the Department can verify applicant eligibility in a manner consistent with applicable federal requirements while maintaining the security and integrity of the licensing process,” the agency explained in the Texas Register.
Members of the public have until February 22 to voice their opinion on the changes.
The move by TDLR is part of a wider push by state agencies to crack down on illegal aliens’ ability obtain licenses and certifications, including commercial driver licenses, an issue that has received considerable attention from state leaders such as Gov. Greg Abbott. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles recently enacted new regulations preventing illegal aliens from registering or insuring vehicles.
In September, Abbott directed the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to enforce English language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers in compliance with federal regulations.
“Every commercial driver license operator on Texas roadways must be able to communicate clearly in English to ensure compliance with traffic laws, follow safety directions, and prevent accidents,” Abbott said at the time. “This approach will keep Texans safe while keeping our economy moving.”
Later that month, the Texas Department of Public Safety also suspended the issuance of non-domicile commercial driver licenses and to any refugees, asylees, or recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. DPS noted that the decision came after “an emergency rule change by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.”
And just last week, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles held a public hearing regarding proposed regulatory changes that would prevent illegal aliens from registering or insuring vehicles. The state agency will review the input, which was mostly negative, and consider whether to make any changes to the proposed rule.
The issue of illegal aliens operating commercial vehicles became a major national issue last year after numerous fatal crashes occurred across the country, including in Florida, California, and Tennessee. Dozens of illegal drivers have also been found on Texas roads, with Abbott announcing late last year the apprehension of 31 illegal drivers, most of whom possessed a California license, in the Panhandle.
“When illegal immigrants break the law and illegally drive on our roads, they endanger the lives of countless Texans and Americans,” he said at the time, promising that the state would continue to work with federal law enforcement to find and arrest illegal aliens driving through Texas.
Now, Texas state agencies are taking steps to ensure that illegal aliens can not receive occupational licenses across the board.
