Governor Evers Signs Bill to Remove Barriers for DACA Recipients

Today I had the pleasure of joining Governor Tony Evers, and others, for the signing of Assembly Bill 759 at El Rey in the 12th Aldermanic District.

At a time when we are experiencing charged immigration debates, this bipartisan legislation that breaks down barriers for eligible Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients is a tremendous step forward.

This bill allows eligible DACA recipients to obtain professional and occupational licenses in high-demand fields such as nursing, teaching, healthcare, education, and the trades. Aligning state licensing with existing federal work authorization will provide employers in Milwaukee, and across Wisconsin, the ability to tap into a highly capable workforce in a new way. Holistically, this will strengthen our economy by providing DACA recipients with another avenue toward stable, family-supporting jobs and address critical workforce shortages to advance our community’s growth.

I want to thank those in the Legislature who sponsored and advocated for this bill, including Representative Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay), Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D-Milwaukee), and Senator Jesse James (R-23rd District). I also want to extend my gratitude to my colleagues on the Common Council for their support of this item via our legislative package that guides our lobbying team and efforts.

And finally, led by the city’s newly established Legislative Affairs Division (who kept Council members briefed continuously as the legislation progressed in Madison), and through the tireless work of a diverse, bipartisan coalition, the Council helped turn skepticism into success. These efforts were matched by courageous state legislators willing to push past institutional norms and prioritize Wisconsin’s future.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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