OLYMPIA, Wash. (TND) — A bill in the Washington State Legislature could prevent state agencies from withholding professional certifications from individuals residing in the U.S. illegally.
SHB 1889 passed the House earlier this month and is now being mulled by the Senate. If passed, the bill would allow applicants for professional licenses and permits to provide a taxpayer identification number in place of a social security number.
"An individual who is not lawfully present in the United States is eligible for a professional license, commercial license, certificate, permit, or registration as allowed under Title 8 U.S.C. 14 Sec. 1621," the bill reads. “A state agency or regulatory authority shall not deny an application for a professional license, commercial license, certificate, permit, or registration solely on the basis of a person's immigration or citizenship status if the person has met all other qualifications."
