Bipartisan Bill Would Assist "DACA Kids" in Wisconsin

Tuesday, December 5th, 2023 -- 11:01 AM

(Bob Hague, WRN) At the Capitol, proposed legislation would assist “DACA kids” - and boost the state’s workforce.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is a limited pool of people brought into the US as young children by their parents. Measures from Brown County Representative John Maaco would give them access to in-state college tuition benefits, professional licenses, and a new tax credit.

“It’s my goal to make Wisconsin a DACA magnet.” Milwaukee Democrat Sylvia Ortiz-Velez is a co-sponsor. “By allowing people who are otherwise eligible to work in the United States to also work in professional licensing fields in Wisconsin, we will increase the possibilities of people being able to fill our worker shortages across industries.”

Maaco continued, “I ask you, how much control did you have over your life and where you lived at the age of seven? We've long held in this country that we do not hold children responsible for the crimes of their parents and DACA kids are not guilty of a crime.”

The lawmakers expressed confidence the bills will pass and get signed by Governor Tony Evers.

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