Texas Tightens Grip on Noncitizens: New Rules Impact 1.7M
·2 min
This episode of El Paso News Today reports on Texas' recent policy changes affecting non-citizens. The state has rolled out new rules over the past year that restrict non-citizens from getting occupational licenses, registering or buying cars, obtaining commercial driver's licenses, and accessing in-state college tuition. These measures primarily impact 1.7 million undocumented individuals, along with tens of thousands of refugees and DACA recipients. Over 6,400 commercial licenses have already been revoked as part of these crackdowns. Attorney General Ken Paxton has intervened following the last legislative session, urging courts to eliminate in-state tuition for those not lawfully present, which could affect up to 18,500 students. The Department of Public Safety has targeted non-English speakers and non-permanent residents for trucker licenses, revoking hundreds tied to crashes. The DMV has implemented stringent ID checks for all truckers. Additionally, the Department of Public Safety has enforced restrictions on non-English speakers for car sales and registrations. Licensing boards now prohibit most non-citizens without green cards from various professions, such as electrician or cosmetologist. Immigration lawyers and advocates report widespread confusion and fear among affected families, who face job loss and instability. Specific cases include domestic violence survivors losing access to cosmetology careers they had pursued. Small businesses, particularly car dealers in Hispanic areas, are experiencing sales declines as buyers either leave the state or drive unregistered vehicles, risking arrests and deportations. Democrats accuse the governor of legislating through backdoor rules to avoid the full legislative process. These changes have been enacted via agency adjustments and appointments by Governor Abbott, bypassing normal votes, and are influenced by border surges and election pressures. Officials defend the measures as protecting jobs and resources for citizens who comply with federal law. Attention is now turning to potential next steps, including challenges to Supreme Court rulings that guarantee K-12 education for undocumented children.
