LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas House has approved legislation to enable people in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to get nursing licenses.
The House on Monday approved the measure by a 90-0 vote, sending it to the Senate. A spokesman for Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson said he supports the measure.
The Arkansas State Board of Nursing began denying licenses in 2017 to candidates in the DACA program, which was started during Barack Obama’s presidency and allows those brought to the U.S. illegally as children to remain in the country. A 2017 report by the National Conference of State Legislatures says 10 states allow DACA recipients to obtain professional licenses.
Supporters say the move will prevent such students from leaving for a state where they can get licensed.