Wisconsin: AG says no licenses for illegal aliens

In a new opinion, state Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says that the Department of Regulation and Licensing may not issue professional licenses or credentials to illegal aliens. He holds as a basis for this opinion that the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunities Reconciliation Act of 1996 preempts state law that may provide benefits such as professional licensing to illegal aliens. He continues that while states do have some flexibility to pass laws counter to this position, his opinion is consistent with laws passed in Wisconsin. Accordingly, he asks the department to put a procedure in place to verify the immigration status of all applicants for state licenses.
Read the press release. Read the Attorney General's opinion.