Gov. Phil Murphy has signed a measure into law that allows unauthorized immigrants in New Jersey to get a professional or occupational license, provided they meet all the necessary requirements for licensure.
Up until now, lawful presence in the United States was required to work as a teacher, nurse, doctor, therapist, HVAC technician or hairdresser, for example. But during a virtual Facebook news conference, Murphy signed legislation to change that requirement, potentially impacting an estimated 500,000 immigrants who reside in the Garden State but are not authorized to be here.
Murphy said that as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, this new law is important. Murphy said this will give many who are trained as nurses and doctors a chance to live the American Dream.
“The strain and stress on our medical and health professions made its timing and it’s urgency even more so,” he said.
Assemblyman Raj Mukherji, D-Hudson, said the new law will boost the state economy “by adding millions in tax revenue from the increased wages by fully putting our trained immigrant professionals to work.”
He said this will also allow immigrants to fill critical labor shortages in the Garden State.
“We’re not taking away American jobs,” he said. “Because Dreamers who have grown up here, maybe for decades, who have been educated and trained here, they are American.”
He said that by lifting the restrictions, “we’re just taking qualified and trained and highly skilled and hard working Dreamers, and allowing them to be treated with dignity while they’re contributing to our state’s economy.”
Erika Martinez, a youth organizer for the immigrant rights group Make the Road New Jersey, said everyone will benefit from the new law.
“Undocumented immigrants will now be able to pursue our professions, support our families, fulfill our dreams and support the Garden State,” she said.
Martinez said immigrant communities have faced barriers in obtaining occupational licenses despite completing educational and training requirements.
“We will continue to fight while we pursue our dreams of becoming physicians, nurses, physical therapists, teachers, manicurists and more here in New Jersey, she said.
According to the Governor’s Office, the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 gives states “the ability to grant an individual who is not lawfully present in the United States eligibility for certain State or local public benefits, including professional and commercial licensure, through the enactment of state law.”
Read More: NJ allows unauthorized immigrants to get occupational licenses | https://nj1015.com/unauthorized-immigrants-in-nj-can-now-work-as-nurses-doctors-teachers/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral
Credit: NJ101.5
But ME A legal immigrat can’t be a cop or get any type of jobs in government what a JOKE
Kévin Costa you did it the right way by becoming a citizen and you have less rights as far as employment than someone here illegally. It’s sad, you are a legal citizen therefore should be able to obtain whatever job you want as long as you pass the requirements.
Sorry you have to go through that
Kévin Costa that’s a separate issue. Legal immigrants can also be doctors and nurses.
The system is so f’ed up! The illegals get everything handed to them. The people that actually want to work and do things the right way get screwed!
Rae Guez-Sidhom you shouldn’t be aloud to work in the US without a work visa or green card.
Whats the point of becoming a citizen!?
RIGHT!! If you become LEGAL citizen, all the FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE shit STOPS!!!!!!!!!
This a**hole has gone too far
He needs to have that phony crown knocked off of his pointed head
W t f ????????????????♀️
We are better off being illegals
Maybe we should just take a whole pile of illegals and put them in the house next to Murphy that’ll fix his ass
Donna Huth Landi he had cancer right? Mb have an illegal look after his medical needs. Just saying
Keep taking those jobs away from citizens & legal immigrants Governor asshole!!!
Thomas Merry did you go to med school thomas?
Thomas Merry doctors, nurses and teacher jobs???
LETS BE REAL WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON NOW WE NEED MORE DOCTORS, NURSES AND TEACHERS!!! SO IF THEY ARE ABLE TO DO THAT MORE POWER TO THEM!!!
Jarissa Nieves I have no qualifications to be neurosurgeon but we really need them so I’ll just wing it, right?
Jim Oelfke REALLY SO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CANNOT GO TO SCHOOL TO GET THE SKILLS!!! WHO SAID THEY WILL BE WING IT!!! IDIOT!!! ????????
Jarissa Nieves learn how to disagree without insults. Also learn how to turn off capslock. Lmao
Jarissa Nieves really they don’t even get proper vaccines and medical care before taking care of other people. Sure let them come over here legally tge cant be in tge medical field with a criminal back ground. Need to speak fluent English.
Jeff Fedak lol fluent english? Both my son and daughter have classmates that speak ZERO english. Been going to school with them for three years. They have translators for them and other students are encouraged to learn spanish to communicate with them?
We live in a country where illegals come here and we give them housing, foodstamps, cash, healthcare, etc while they work off the books. Now they can break the law by being here illegally and we will reward them even further by allowing them to be doctors, lawyers, etc. Are they gonna be paid in cash for these jobs?
Jennifer Lynn Pfeifer exactly
Really? Nurses and healthcare workers are being laid off in record numbers
Jennifer Lynn Pfeifer Yes! Cash they send BACK to THEIR countries!!!!! NOT being used HERE!!
Jennifer Lynn Pfeifer Well actually there are also work on the books and pay taxes but they don’t get the benefits of it… They tribute a lot to this country….
Jennifer Lynn Pfeifer that’s wrong
Jim Oelfke ???? wing it I’m dead
Jarissa Nieves WHY ARE WE YELLING!!!
Jarissa Nieves stop yelling
Jarissa Nieves That’s totally wrong. on every level.
Everything is handed to them as soon as they get to the U S. we have to work our butts off.
It’s just not fair
Jarissa Nieves they need to get citizenship like the others have, this is wrong
Cos I know so many illegal immigrants who are MDs
Lee O’Brien ????????????????
Nice ????
Oh fuck this !
Whu dont they just become citizens?
Why doesn’t he worry about getting the people that legally live in NJ back to work??
Monica Mudrick Hanscom we can be nurses drs and teacher too…
Maybe this is all part of the asswipes plan! put AMERICAN citizens out of work and hire ILLEGALS to start businesses and take our jobs!!!!!!!!!!!
Does he even know the definition of the word “illegal”?? I quess it no longer has any meaning! He is such a pandering idiot!!
Suzan Dunnkosky that’s why they keep pushing “undocumented”
Jim Oelfke yes!
So you’re saying they’re going to pay taxes…
Brian Murray They already pay more than Trump
If you don’t like it get back on the boat and go back across the Atlantic..
Awww…so cute when the stupid come up with snarky but totally idiotic responses………..
Paul Zuzzio white man theory..
Paul Zuzzio Bon voyage ..
Oswaldo Escobar LMAO…look up the textbook defintion of “racist bullshit” and you will find your own picture with that load of crap. But thanks for playing and pretending you have a working brain…………
Paul Zuzzio lmao.. Bon voyage Paul. Adios paisano..
Sorry…no hablah la blah blah.
He’s totally lost it
This guy is a complete schmuck!!!
***People who weren’t born here but want to contribute to society and improve their lives and the lives of their families***
Then go through the legal process like so many before you and STFU…….
Than they become Americans first and should of came in the right way
what a joke for a this guy to run NJ
WOO HOO!!!!! An easy to use database for ICE to round em up……..plus FRAUD charges for the I-9 violations for themselves, anyone who hires them, AND Phil Murphy for conspiracy to commit and accessory after the fact. Now we just need Feds with actual BALLS to do their jobs…………..
F U Snaggletooth!!!!
too bad that wont EVER happen!! and if dems get total control of USA we are REALLY going to be in trouble. This shit will look like nothing!
Is this a joke? Cant tell if the governer is just trolling us at this point
Lol
Do not vote Murphy into a 2nd term.
Michael Howlett with an approval rating hovering between 60-70%, he’s not going anywhere. Not saying I’m voting for him. Just stating what the facts are
Smdh
Absurd
We need to get this guy out of office he is fucking NJ up, worse then it was.
Umm will we know where they work so we know where not to go…and how are they to become licensed American doctors when they arent Americans ? Or are they about to be come drs so they can go home and be doctors?
I meant to ask this back in March, but, What planet is he on ?
So what you’re saying is that people who were born here or live here legally have to undergo background checks and prove that we are legal citizens and a slew of other extensive things in order to get our licenses and certifications but unauthorized immigrants (provided that they meet whatever requirements that will be given to them) can just become a doctor or nurse without being a legal citizen? Like someone else said, how can they legally become ‘American’ doctors if they aren’t legal Americans?
Nicole Worth yes this!!!!!! You need to share that over and over !!!!! My husband came from Poland years ago and did it the correct way!!!!! He needs to have a ss#….passport info….finger prints…background checks to keep his job. This is sooooo F’cked up it’s alarming
WTH? What happened with this fuck** idio**?
WHAT THE FU8K?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? THIS “man” needs to be STOPPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT part of ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT DOESNT THIS ASSHOLE UNDERSTAND????????????????????????????????????????????????
First screwup and sue the illegal and Murphy for all his $$$$$
POS
He’s digging for every vote he can get.
Wait what?????????
They will pay a shill to take the tests for them and obtain the license without qualifications. Then let’s say a guy starts an Hvac company, who do you think he will hire? This is a disaster for everyone effected. The customers will also obtain lesser quality products because of this.
Good job everybody should get a fare chance
This is utter bullshit fucking shit
This dude is the worst gremlin looking asshole
He hasn’t done one good thing for New Jersey yet
Beside raping the working class
Proof of citizenship or some form of documentation is required. He can’t supersede medical licensing boards. This shouldn’t really matter and I’m not sure how this is even happening.
This is ridiculous!!
ICE kicks the door in mid surgery
What an ass
They can do that but I’ve been driving over 40 years. And have to prove I’m American. Thats bullshit 1????
Denna Goehringer
Murphy needs to GO! This is bullshit!!!
Is he from outer space?
Wow, talk about creating a competitive market. This is not a good idea right?
I bet his doctors won’t be illegals, biggest asshole governor in the history of this state
He is destroying this state
Murphy has lost his mind!!!
Well, I hope the teacher’s union is happy. Many young teachers cant find jobs now.
Too bad all the shit in this guy’s head isn’t an alternative fuel.
Richard Nelson that’s friggin funny
Get rid of this slob. He is not on our side at all. He should not be allowed to make careless decisions without our say
Pos
He needs to gooooooooo
????
This is great news! Glad the governor realizes the lack of educated American citizens in his state that he has now created a pathway for more prepared and hardworking people to access these careers.
Immigrants are disgusting
Dara MV sarcasm? Definitely cant be serious.
Dara MV American citizens lack education? Rude lady. Who wants an illegal immigrant obtaining licenses? No oath given to our country, no medical check, no way. Licences should only be for American citizens. Same goes for voting and health insurance and a driver’s license.
Dara MV if you’re so smart. Maybe you would have followed the law and came here legally.
Ronald Smith if you’re so smart you’d know that this country allows undocumented people to access education at any levels, and that families that migrates here take on those opportunities. None of it is free. All of you would be smart if you’d know thatI basic fact. Any undocumented family that accomplishes a bachelors, a masters, or any level of degree and licensed skill it is because they worked triple as much as any US citizen. That is a fact no matter how generalized all of your stupid comments are. Everyone is held up on the legality of people, but don’t reason in your brains that more than half million of undocumented immigrants in NJ are not going anywhere. All families have made a home in this state and country, they have their children THRIVING in your schools and communities, and there NOT A SINGLE THING any of you wasting your time demeaning this community can do about it. You can claim to report them, claim they get free benefits, whatever stupid thing you say. It will not stop any of it.
And I was a child when I arrived to this unfortunate country. Regardless , I’d do it again if my family sought to it if I was an adult. It is because I understand the sacrifices our families make for the sake of our well being. Something most white US citizens take for granted, and some non-white too. My family has worked hard for decades to ensure I am educated and a career. People like me not only proudly clean homes, but we also make the medicines you all benefit from, invent the new technology you hold in your hand, code the next algorithm that will enable better medicine, and more.
Dara MV yeah and people that live here have to pay out the ass for shit and fellow rules while people that are not citizens get shit handed to them because that’s fair right listen I don’t care who wants to live here do it the right way and become a citizen of the USA my great grandparents came here from Italy and did it the right way
Jay Capasso can you provide reference to undocumented people getting things handed? Most states require out of state tuition or rates for licensing their skill. You know the only reason states charge at all for people that either live out of state or not it is because of the taxing laws. No matter their citizenship. Taxes apply to all, even immigrants. The IRS has something called the ITIN. It enforces all to pay taxes. Regardless, anyone who works or employs pay taxes associated to all labor.
Dara MV shame on you taking advantage of what this country has to offer and exhausting it. The reason why illegals need to work triple hard is because they can’t move freely. Well if that’s what you prefer as your way of life. Bear with it. I pray you can sleep everynight not being worried. And please stop generalizing every American, as just in your case, there are also people like you who slack in their game.
Ag Nes taking and exhausting what is there to take is the American way. The “mine, mine” mentality. Americans are literally known for this outside of this bubble. And yeah we bare with it for a while because then we get great laws like these that enable us to live with some dignity. We’ll stick around until this country does it completely.
Generalizing every American is the same as generalizing undocumented people. This community is as diverse, as hard working, and as successful as any.
We’re in a country of diverse languages, skills, migration stories, and love. Majority of us are working class people just getting by. Our common enemy is the rich, not those with less resources. But in the meantime, we’ll keep thriving with opportunities like these operational licenses.
K. There’s a keyword being missed here. That word is illegal. Why would we allow people who knowingly and willingly broke the law to become a doctor? If they can’t follow the rules to be a legal citizen, why in the actual hell would I expect them to follow the rules and laws to be a doctor? Yes its hard to become a legal US citizen. Its supposed to be. Immigration laws exist for a reason. Do I agree with all of them? Not really but if I wanted to become a citizen of another country. I imagine I would need to follow that countries laws to become a citizen. Why would the USA be any different?
Dara MV I can smell the racism in here without even reading all these comments. y’all are pathetic
Dara MV I hope your not that stupid
This state’s a 3rd world cesspool.
How moronic is this? How can you trust that someone who is here illegally have the proper education,training, and experience??? This country is doomed if we keep electing the likes of murphy
What about all my family members that have been paying thousands for years to be be nurses and doctors? Do they just stay students and continue to pay for the illegals?
Imagine your granny getting her hip replaced and ice busts the door down mid surgery lmao
Why do citizens have to follow laws and rules but immigrants get everything handed to them? ????????
Why do citizens have to follow laws and rules but immigrants get everything handed to them? ????????
We are experiencing an extreme shortage of MDs/DOs that practice general/family medicine. Some universities affiliated with hospitals are even going as far as to provide free tuition/reimbursement for those who follow a general medicine path. I wonder if this could be a potential path for some of these undocumented workers.
This gut needs to be Told to.. Shut up Man.. where have I heard that before ????????????
Haven’t they been
????????????????????????
AASSHOLE 101
He is trying really hard to be the country’s #2 worst governor.
More pandering to illegals
Yep take more of are money
Mark A Principato it’s “our” stupid fuck.
He’s such a scumbag
This man Must be out of his damn Mind…get rid of him????????????????
This man is a joke. Get him out of office. Asap. He’s destroying New Jersey!!!
He needs to be in quarantine! After all, he has tested positive for being a jerk off!!!!
So us As Americans have to jump thru a million loop holes to try to make our life’s better but yet other people can come here and get it handed to them fucking awesome….
Mike Killmer yep, I just have no words anymore!!!!
Julie Koscielicki-Colon sad country we live in
Ay…carumba…mas tequila amigo.
And just like that N.J unemployment will skyrocket….F@C K YOU MURPHY ..YOU POS
Are they going to speak English?
This is so unfair. We came here LEGALLY – paid a hefty amount to process our papers, had gone thru numerous medical and background checks and interviews and these ILLegals just like that, they can practice their profession?! So so unfair!
I already have a hard enough time finding a job that will pay a decent wage because the fucking illegals are willing to work for pennies so that’s all they hire…. if you really think $15 an hour is worth me having 5 years of welding experience then you should shit in your hat
Matthew Tursi that’s the issue decent paying jobs are all on the books not a cash as needed company and the fact that an illegal will go out and bust there ass for $15 an hour to support there families you can’t get mad at them for there hustle.
Billy Tortorella Junior I’m not. I gave up working on the books for these factories in Lakewood and wherever that shits for the birds. I make better money working for myself and my schedule is more flexible to spend more time with the kids and in the woods. Things are falling into place how they should be I just need to be patient and that I’m not
It’s so sad to here all you people bashing others. Do most of you know these “illegals” are DACA recipients that have put themselves through school with their own money because federal aid does not apply to them? That they working permits TO WORK LEGALLY? That the money they pay for these working papers contribute to the economy? No right. Because you’re all ignorant when it comes to that stuff. You’re all speaking out of your dirty fucking asses.
Mimi Damian so why don’t they become legal citizens of America
Karen Suchar because these DACA recipients were brought over as young children and that’s why they cannot apply to become a citizen. DACA gives them an opportunity at becoming someone.
Mimi Damian I honestly don’t care about illegals but just to be clear here..didn’t you have until 18 to become a citizen under daca and a lot of people were just to lazy to and now they’re fucked
Karen Suchar exactly
Richard William Wetherby nope. DACA recipients never even had a chance at citizenship. If anything trump threatened DACA if he didn’t get his wall.
Mimi Damian idk man I got a buddy who isn’t a citizen and he was telling me he had until he was 18 and blew it. Idk if I misunderstood him or not but that’s what he said
Richard William Wetherby and he had DACA? Not to sound like a dick or anything but I’m pretty sure if any DACA recipient had the chance to become a citizen with no hassle, we would jump right on it. Maybe your buddy was in a different situation
Mimi Damian don’t need to argue with idiots
Mimi Damian I’m pretty sure..that’s what he said.
So the state unemployment is at 16% and then you add in 500,000 illegals to the workforce how in the hell is that a good thing ,I could see if unemployment was at zero for like 2 years and there was jobs everywhere but there isn’t jobs everywhere, then you get to the $15 hr minimum wage and we all know MURPHY is going to raise taxes so in the end you will take home less then you did making $10 hr …the state will take more money and stick it in there pockets…welcome to socialism,They pretend to give more but actually take back even more then they gave ….F#CK YOU MURPHY!
Screw him and every clown who voted for him
Why can this guy continue to make unConstitutional decisions, and NJ adheres? He isn’t allowed to usurp laws! Why isn’t he behind bars????
He keeps telling the public to disobey the laws. You come here illegally and face no repercussions, get all kinds of free benefits while law abiding citizen struggle to keep food on their table and a roof over their head. What is wrong with this picture? I still do no know how he was elected, he stated he would do this in his campaign. even more frightening is I don’t know a single person who has stated they voted for him.
Is he paying for it? No we are. POS
This state has gone to ???????????????????? quicker than the titanic
Wtf.
I don’t imagine we can go to Mexico, Turkey, India, etc and decide to live there illegally and then go to school for free and become a teacher or Dr.
We already pay for certain people to come here and give them money to open up businesses. (7-11, Dunkin, Krausers, gas stations)
Why not make it easier for our Citizens?
Murphy & DeBlasio HAVE to go back to Bean town & STAY THERE ????????????????????
really scary. how much longer will he be there?
What the hell!
The State is committing suicide!! It is putting a gun in its mouth and pulling the trigger…Murphy is the Gun and the Democrats are the hand pulling the trigger!!!
Maybe even Governor
So no consequences to breaking laws!
Hence illegal!
A slap in the face for all who have legally come to the US following the rules.
Anything for votes
Asshole
Don’t forget disgusting Murphy I still don’t even have my proper paperwork so that I can vote and you have three days so that I can be in the lock box or my vote to count I swear to god if I don’t get my paperwork by then by the 13th I am calling your town and I’m calling you and calling you but you were blocking me from my boat and my right and my Lord you are a disgusting disgusting disgusting man
You can literally buy anything in Mexico for the right price. Let’s see how many dentists pop up with degrees from the University of Guadalajara????
Send them back to their home country.
Shame the racist here can’t read past a headline. No wonder we need immigrants w higher education to help out the state. The amount of uneducated responses here proves it.
Stop being ignorant with your racist comments. We obviously need smart people here as told by the comments on here. If u read past a headline you might learn something. https://www.google.com/amp/s/champ.gothamist.com/champ/gothamist/news/how-bill-could-bolster-new-jerseys-professional-workforce-and-offer-hope-undocumented-immigrants
The article says exactly what we think it says, just nicer language, Undocumented versus illegal!!
pathetic piece of crap.
Maybe they should become citizens first?
I can’t wait to get the hell out of this state. He’s ruined it.
This governor is seriously demented
How do we get these people’s backgrounds?
This man is destroying our state.
Hell 95% of them can’t speak English!!! And don’t want to learn it
Don’t they have to pass all exams to be licensed