Licensed jobs opening up for "undocumented" immigrants in California

[perfect 39]

Honestly, it almost makes me wonder what's the point of legal immigration if "undocumented" immigrants are allowed most of the privileges of being a legal immigrant!!??

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/new-674459-working-california.html

A variety of licensed jobs – including architect, barber, boxer and accountant – soon will be open to undocumented immigrants in California.

The shift figures to change lives for tens of thousands of workers, either in the form of new opportunity or, critics say, in the form of a new wave of unfair competition.

Under SB1159, a law signed in September by Gov. Jerry Brown, all 40 licensing boards working under the California Department of Consumer Affairs must consider applicants regardless of their immigration status. Previously, only legal residents with Social Security numbers could be granted licenses.

The new rule is kicking in at various agencies now and will roll out to all licensed jobs by the start of next year. The boards for eight job categories – accountants, architects, barbers and beauticians, boxers and martial arts fighters, financial advisers, geologists, land surveyors, osteopaths and podiatrists – are already accepting undocumented applicants.

It’s unclear how many people have applied for licenses under the new rules, or how many will, but the impact could be huge. The Public Policy Institute of California estimates the state is home to about 1.85 million undocumented workers.

Critics say the new rules benefit people who, in their view, shouldn’t be hired for any job because of their undocumented status.

“It’s yet another tedious way for California politicians to whittle away the rule of law,” said Bob Dane, spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, a Washington, D.C.-based group that advocates better border security and stopping illegal immigration.

California’s new law, he added, means American workers “are going to face even more stiff competition.”

The new rules figure to change some businesses more than others. Undocumented workers are disproportionally represented in a few industries in California, including farming, restaurant work and transportation. Most aren’t licensed.

But beauticians are licensed and, collectively, salons in California harbor what many describe as “the great secret,” referring to the high number of undocumented immigrants who cut and style hair.

For stylist Rosie Hernandez, getting a license could lead to more personal and professional stability.

Hernandez recently has been working at her Lake Elsinore home because she believed working in a salon meant a greater risk of getting caught working without a license.

Early in her career, the 31-year-old jumped from one beauty salon to the next to avoid being caught by state board officials during inspections.

“I was working with fear … to be working on a client’s hair and thinking that midway I’d have to leave,” Hernandez said in Spanish.

The same goes for Maria Isabel Montano, 45, a Stanton resident, who said she has had to run when state officials inspected a beauty salon where she was working. She also was afraid of others telling on her.

Soon after learning of the new law, Hernandez and Montano signed on for apprenticeship classes at Cosmetica Latina in Downey. Using their federal tax identification numbers instead of Social Security numbers, both women now have apprentice licenses.

“I can work in peace, every day,” Montano said in Spanish.

Maria Teresa Villarreal operates Cosmetica Latina and offers an apprenticeship program for working hairdressers, letting people work and study for a license at the same time.

Villarreal has operated the Spanish-language program for years, catering to people who could legally get licensed.

In February, her school got the go-ahead to begin accepting undocumented students. She said her new students come from throughout Southern California, often after they’ve been fined for working without a license, a penalty of up to $1,000.

“We’re going to help the economy grow in this country, but by complying with the law,” Villarreal said.

Not everyone agrees.

Dane, of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, said the move to make licenses open to undocumented workers will “diminish” licensing standards.

He added that licensing boards exist to maintain the integrity of respected professions and that the new law is “counterproductive to maintaining the high standards” of the jobs connected to the state boards.

But to Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens, who initiated the law, allowing skilled immigrant workers to obtain professional licenses will strengthen the state’s workforce and economy.

“This is about doing right by those individuals who have studied, sacrificed and mastered their professions, but are unable to practice because of their immigration status,” said Lara.

“We won't waste their talent any longer.”

[Darnell 8,478]

immigrant worker here = illegal alien. sheesh.

[TBoneTX 45,522]

*** Thread moved from Off Topic forum to the Current Events forum. ***

[Sousuke 1,214]

This sucks!

[khwaidee1 196]

It's just a great state! You can get a driver's license and soon families will be able to get free medical care through MediCal. On top of the free education, the food programs for children born here of illegals. Just great! And, you can also get a license to practice law if you're illegal. And, if you're illegal, you don't have a social (that belongs to you at least!) so you don't have pay taxes. Is it a wonder that state year after year faces financial hurdles?

[Robby999 1,024]

You reap what you sow! Just another method for libs to collect taxes and fees from anyone or anything that might ever generate a profit.