2016 Immigration Reform News: New York Allows DACA Recipients to Apply for Teacher Certification
Immigration reform is hot on the heels of the government, especially with the upcoming elections, and along with the reforms that Barack Obama is trying to implement before his reign ends, New York has decided to give more hope for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.
Ever since the Obama administration introduced the policy in June 2012, certain individuals who moved to the United States as children have been given a two-year work permit that could be renewed. However, it does not ensure one's citizenship and not everyone who came to the United States is eligible to be part of the program.
New York has recently decided to give more chances for students under the policy to earn a living through providing them with the power to obtain professional licenses including teacher certification. While DACA recipients are authorized to work, they are not allowed to get licenses in certain professions such as teaching and engineering.
The Board of Regents will now allow qualified recipients to apply for a professional license if they meet all requirements except for their citizenship status — a move that will pave the way for immigrants to live more stable lives in the country.
The licensing process will only start after the Regents' regulations have been adopted. On the other hand, qualified beneficiaries can rely on the new policy and the State Education Department to open doors for licensing after the public comment period has ended.
According to the New York State Education Department blog, State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia said, "Allowing these young people to get professional licenses will open up a new world of economic opportunity for them."
Assembly member Deborah Glick, who is also Chair of the Assembly Committee on Higher Education said, "I greatly appreciate that the Board of Regents has recognized that an individual's hard work should not be overshadowed by decisions made for them as children."
Applicants for the DACA program basically need to have arrived in the United States before their 16th birthday and should have lived in the country continuously since June 15, 2007.
