Lawmakers Send DACA Job Licenses Bill To Governor

House and Senate lawmakers overwhelmingly approved legislation Wednesday to ensure DACA recipients, known as Dreamers, get professional licenses from the state.

The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency began denying licenses to those immigrants late last year to comply with a 2011 state immigration law.

But backed by the Holcomb administration, lawmakers took steps in the session’s final weeks to remedy that unintended consequence.

Sen. Blake Doriot (R-Syracuse) says if Indiana doesn’t ensure Dreamers get job licenses, they’ll just move to other states.

“This is a good bill," Doriot says. "It helps young people in the state of Indiana who are working hard and want to participate in society.”

The Senate approved the bill 39-8; the House passed it 85-7. It now goes to the governor’s desk for his signature.