Gov. Eric Holcomb is throwing his support behind legislation that would again allow DACA recipients to obtain professional licenses for more than 70 occupations in Indiana.

In his first statement on the issue, the Republican governor said his administration acted appropriately when it began blocking professional licenses in fields ranging from plumbing to dentistry for roughly 9,000 young immigrants brought to the United States illegally as children but granted legal work status.

Ultimately, Congress needs to clarify federal immigration law regarding DACA," he said. "But, until they act, Indiana state law should allow DACA recipients to skill up and work here in Indiana. While Indiana’s Professional Licensing Agency acted appropriately and in line with what our current laws require, I am encouraged to see there is legislative intent to fix this.”

His statement came hours after a House committee amended Senate Bill 419 in response to a controversy over the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency's new application forms, which allow the state to screen out DACA participants

The House committee's last-minute decision to amend the bill was unexpected, said the bill's original author, Sen. Blake Doriot, R-Syracuse. His original bill would have prevented local governments from licensing occupations if they are already licensed under state law.

"It was kind of a surprise," he said noting that the House committee's chairman, Rep. Kevin Mahan, told him about the proposed change during a dinner Monday night.

Doriot said he would probably concur with the new addition to the bill,

We have to have a clear path for the Dreamers to citizenship," he said, "and this might be a step."

Clere, however, emphasized that the measure addresses only a narrow Indiana-related issue. Ultimately, he said, Congress needs to enact broad immigration reform.


https://www.indystar.com/story/news/...ses/377232002/

Refreshing to see that they are fixing the issue ASAP.