Wisconsin Opens Professional Licenses to DACA Recipients

New law signed by Governor Evers expands opportunities for thousands of Dreamers in the state.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 6:14pm

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A softly lit, textured painting of a person working at a desk, the warm light and deep shadows creating a contemplative, cinematic mood that evokes the real-world impact of the new DACA licensing law.A new Wisconsin law opens professional licenses to DACA recipients, expanding career opportunities for Dreamers in the state.Madison Today

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has signed a new law that will allow over 5,000 residents enrolled in the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to obtain professional licenses for jobs that require them, such as teaching, nursing, plumbing, and cosmetology.

Why it matters

This legislation is seen as a pragmatic and necessary update to help DACA recipients, often referred to as 'Dreamers', access more career opportunities and contribute further to their local communities in Wisconsin.

The details

The new law grants DACA enrollees in Wisconsin the ability to apply for professional licenses that were previously restricted, opening up a wide range of in-demand jobs across various industries. This change is expected to benefit thousands of Dreamers who have lived in the state since childhood but faced barriers to certain careers.

  • Governor Evers signed the bill into law on April 9, 2026.

The players

Tony Evers

The Governor of Wisconsin who signed the bill expanding professional license access for DACA recipients.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

A federal program that provides temporary protection from deportation and work permits for certain undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States as children.

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What they’re saying

“Today, we're taking a pragmatic and necessary update to help DACA recipients, often referred to as 'Dreamers', access more career opportunities and contribute further to their local communities in Wisconsin.”

— Tony Evers, Governor of Wisconsin

The takeaway

This new law in Wisconsin represents an important step in expanding economic opportunities for DACA recipients, allowing them to utilize their skills and training to fill critical workforce needs across the state.