New licensing requirement creates more hurdles for undocumented workers

[TBoneTX 49,493]

Let's see... a Democratic president signs a bill into Federal law, a state agency decides to enforce it, and it's Trump's fault.

 

Comments about this and the wisdom (or lack thereof) of enforcing this law?  (Read entire article.)

 

I don't know of many other countries that would allow those of unauthorized status to get a license and stay...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

New licensing requirement creates more hurdles for undocumented workers

 

For some workers, a new state licensing requirement could mean the difference between keeping their job, or losing it.

Earlier this year, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, or TDLR, began implementing a rule rooted in a Clinton-era federal law that prohibits the approval of license applications to workers who cannot present documentation proving lawful residence in the U.S.

This change to the Texas Administrative Code will affect workers in the beauty industry, trades like HVAC and electrical, and any other service-related roles requiring TDLR-issued licenses.

This leaves many workers and businesses throughout South Texas who qualify to provide these services, from massage therapy to the towing industry, with an added barrier.

Regional lawmakers said because of the Rio Grande Valley's proximity to Mexico, communities here need to prepare for services to get more expensive.

"It definitely affects opportunity.  It definitely affects the economy.  It definitely affects all aspects of life, especially for those of us who live along the Rio Grande border," said State Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, who described the change as a "Trump-inspired initiative."

The law from which the new TDLR requirement is inspired was penned in August 1996.  It states that people who are not legally authorized to be in the U.S. are "not eligible for any State or local public benefit," including professional and commercial licensing.  [...]

https://myrgv.com/local-news/2026/03/25/new-licensing-requirement-creates-more-hurdles-for-undocumented-workers/

[mam521 3,011]

 

I can barely believe the garbage that is coming out of these apparent lawyer's mouths.  

 

“If those individuals are now not going to be able to get the appropriate licenses to provide the services that they do, then those services are not going to be available to the consumer, and so prices are going to go up because there’s less opportunity and there’s more demand,” she said. “I think it’s basic economics that it’s going to impact our community, and it’s not going to be in a positive way.”

 

Ummm...nothing is going to change as far as availability of services.  It will turn Thai Massage - unauthorized work behind the curtains.  You'll have the same un-driving licensed HVAC dude driving the company van, delivering the same services without a TACL number.  The difference is the state won't see their cut.  

[Ban Hammer 15,101]

3 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

Earlier this year, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, or TDLR, began implementing a rule rooted in a Clinton-era federal law that prohibits the approval of license applications to workers who cannot present documentation proving lawful residence in the U.S.

 

they really need to change this to texas licensing and department of regulation - so it can then be called TLDR

28 minutes ago, mam521 said:

 

I can barely believe the garbage that is coming out of these apparent lawyer's mouths.  

 

“If those individuals are now not going to be able to get the appropriate licenses to provide the services that they do, then those services are not going to be available to the consumer, and so prices are going to go up because there’s less opportunity and there’s more demand,” she said. “I think it’s basic economics that it’s going to impact our community, and it’s not going to be in a positive way.”

 

Ummm...nothing is going to change as far as availability of services.  It will turn Thai Massage - unauthorized work behind the curtains.  You'll have the same un-driving licensed HVAC dude driving the company van, delivering the same services without a TACL number.  The difference is the state won't see their cut.  

but but orange man bad!

[mam521 3,011]

4 minutes ago, Ban Hammer said:

they really need to change this to texas licensing and department of regulation - so it can then be called TLDR

but but orange man bad!

Texas wants a wall because we need to keep the undocumented out but then no...the ones that are here are kosher! WT actual...yeah.  

[PGA 378]

Honestly, I am so tired of the propaganda. If you've read any of the MSM's headlines for the last year they have pretty much implied that there should be an exception for absolutely every type of illegal immigrant.

 

So far, I have seen: 

Father

Mother

Grandmother

Grandfather

Farm worker

Cleaners

Construction worker

Landscape personnel 

IT Worker - this one was weird

Pregnant - strangely can probably apply to both genders in their minds

Anyone with an illness - from the flu to cancer

 

I mean I try to be empathetic but seriously, where does this end? Also, the left seems to think that "serious crime" means murder, and murder only. 

[TBoneTX 49,493]

1 hour ago, Ban Hammer said:

change this to texas licensing and department of regulation - so it can then be called TLDR

I was thinkin' the same.

1 hour ago, PGA said:

seriously, where does this end? Also, the left seems to think that "serious crime" means murder, and murder only. 

You're dead-nuts right.

[Ban Hammer 15,101]

3 hours ago, PGA said:

Also, the left seems to think that "serious crime" means murder, and murder only. 

except for they'll have ridiculously low bail and continue on..........

[TBoneTX 49,493]

57 minutes ago, Ban Hammer said:

they'll have ridiculously low bail

Or, more and more so, none at all.

 

No matter which side (good vs. bad guys) decrees things administratively, I disagree, because it's the unelected, unaccountable "fourth branch of government."  If Gov. Abbott were to issue an executive order, better, but he has the State Legislature to endorse just about anything he would want.