Thousands of hairdressers, barbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians across Texas could lose the ability to obtain or renew professional licenses if the state imposes a new requirement for proof of legal U.S. authorization.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation added the rule in late January, citing compliance with a 1996 federal law signed by President Bill Clinton. Agency officials said the move also aims “to combat fraud, human trafficking, and labor exploitation.”
Commissioners could make the policy permanent with a full rollout as soon as March 24.
About 18,000 existing licenses — roughly 2% of the total — are not linked to a Social Security number, according to state data.
Iris Yanez, a 45-year-old illegal alien, completed 1,000 hours of supervised training and spent $13,000 to earn her hairdresser credential in early February, only to learn she could no longer use it. She already holds a state eyelash extension license.
“I’m going to have two credentials that I’m not going to be able to use,” Yanez said, per the Austin American-Statesman.
The change stems from a legal opinion issued by Attorney General Ken Paxton that rescinded a 2001 opinion by then-Attorney General John Cornyn. Paxton’s new directive requires a valid Social Security number for all occupational license applications.
“Illegal aliens who don’t belong in this country should not be rewarded for their criminal actions by receiving occupational licenses that allow them to undercut the wages of American citizens,” Paxton said. “I have rescinded John Cornyn’s legal opinion that put Texans last by rolling out the red carpet for the invasion of our State.”
J.R. Gonzales, vice chair of the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce, said the change was “an assault” on Hispanics.
“You’re not going to tell me that someone who knows air conditioners for more than 15 years is going to stop working on them because you told them not to,” Gonzales said, per the Statesman. “If you take it away from them they’re going to find a way to do this illegally.”
Owners of cosmetology and barber schools in immigrant communities reported enrollment drops of more than half in some cases. Luis Zepeda, who runs a Round Rock barber school serving mostly immigrants, said more than half of his 50 students are now ineligible.
“They say, ‘I’d rather work illegally in a restaurant or construction than go to school and work illegally as a barber. I’m better as I am.’ And they’re right,” Zepeda said, according to the Statesman.
The rule change is similar to proposals at other state agencies, including Texas Parks and Wildlife and Housing and Community Affairs. Some advocates have urged commissioners to grandfather in workers who already hold licenses.