The New York State Education Department's Board of Regents has approved a plan allowing certain Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, who came to U.S. as children, to apply for classroom teaching certificates and other forms of professional licenses.

"These are young people who came to the U.S. as children," said State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia, noting that the only hurdle now remaining is a public comment period.

"They are American in every way but immigration status," she added. "They've done everything right. They've worked hard in school, some have even served in the military, but when it's time to apply for a license, they're told 'Stop. That's far enough.' We shouldn't close the door on their dreams. Allowing these young people to get professional licenses will open up a new world of economic opportunity for them."

DACA Evolves From 2012 Implementation

Back in 2012, the Obama administration implemented the current DACA policy that allows individuals who came to the U.S. as children and meet established guidelines to request consideration for deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal. Typically, individuals falling under that umbrella are young people who derive their immigration status from their undocumented parents.

The situation has left many of these individuals with few options when it comes to gaining legal residency, even though many of them have spent their entire lives in the U.S.

DACA recipients are authorized to work in the U.S., but up until now, they have been prohibited from obtaining teaching certification and licenses in such professions as pharmacy, dentistry and engineering solely based on their immigration status. The action by the Board of Regents, when finalized after the public comment period, will open up the licensing process to DACA recipients.

"Today is a great day for a State which prides itself in being a national leader on issues of social justice," said New York Assembly Member and Chair of the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force Marcos Crespo. "The decision by the New York State Board of Regents to grant licensure in various professions to individuals who came to the United States as children and who are qualified under the Obama Administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is an example of government performing at its best."

Cesar Vargas Rises From Ranks of Undocumented

Recently, state officials celebrated the story of Cesar Vargas, a 31-year-old undocumented immigrant who rose to become an attorney. The Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court recently ruled that Vargas, who has lived in the U.S. since the age of five, had a legal right to be permitted to the state bar after passing the New York bar exam on the first attempt.

He is now the first undocumented law school graduate to practice law in the state.

To date, more than 53,000 New Yorkers have registered for DACA, with an estimated 200,000 more who also fit the restrictions still living there under the radar. Across the country, some 787,000 have registered for DACA status.

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