Laura Lara moved from Mexico to Nashville city 11 years ago. She is a University of Tennessee student now, fueled by her passion for serving others as well as motivated by her experiences. She has been trying to get a master’s in the field of social work, but she thought about moving to another state for a professional license thanks to her earlier license requirements.
She is also a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient. DACA allows some illegal aliens who came to this nation as youngsters to study and work without the risk of deportation. However, a few opportunities were not available to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients in the state, such as getting some work licenses.
Lara and many other eligible immigrants can now apply for licenses to work as professionals in their preferred fields without leaving the state due to the so-called Workforce Expansion Bill. State Senator Shane Reeves sponsored the bill, which makes people whom the federal government authorized to work entitled to get occupational and professional licenses. Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee signed it into law; on July 01, 2022, it will become effective.
Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition executive director Lisa Luna stated that the law would offer fresh opportunities to the many refugees and immigrants who have long been seeking career progress and pursuing their preferred jobs.
Luna added that the law would have an effect on not only people and their family members but also on the entire Tennessee communities.
Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition policy coordinator Luis Mata said that those people could now thrive in the state doing the things they love, want and are passionate about.
Lara said that she was anxious just before the bill was being passed, particularly at the time of the senatorial vote while listening to the arguments and questions. She regards the passage of the bill as an extremely emotional moment and a relief. She said that she felt like she could rest after the whole tension she had for weeks now that the bill is passed. She added that she would like to be a licensed therapy specialist in her career. For that reason, the passage of the bill was extremely important for her. Thanks to it, she would be entitled to pursue her licensure after she completes graduate school.
The draft law was made to target Tennessee’s labor shortage and was widely backed in the GOP-supermajority Senate.
Luna reckons that the bill was successful because it would impact the people and the economy of Tennessee. As per Luna, there is a need for sensible solutions addressing and allowing immigrants in Tennessee to thrive, make the process of licensing a pathway to opportunity, and remove barriers.
Mata reckons that the bill could be passed because of the strategic efforts of communities whom it would directly affect. As per Mata, many of them have stances that are focused on things such as economic development to a greater extent than other things. Mata viewed it as a chance to say that this is not only improving workforce opportunities but also making a larger pool of workers for his communities. Mata described it as a sensible law while seemingly requesting people’s support with its implementation.
Lara reckons that the bill getting passed was a meaningful thing for her family as well for the sacrifices that they made for a much better life. One of the dreams of Lara’s parents was to offer her an education so that she could have a much better future. She said that the law would play a big part in achieving that dream. Lara believes that she would achieve her and her parents’ dream as well as use her learned skills and education to help her community, particularly the Latin American community.