Benefits of Granting Occupational License Access to Undocumented Immigrants | Evidence from California Reform and Implications for Illinois

Benefits of Granting Occupational License Access 2021

In September 2014, California lifted legal work status requirement for dozens of licensed professions – a major obstacle for undocumented immigrants in the US to access professional jobs. This report assesses the benefits of lifting occupational license restrictions on the labor market outcomes of undocumented immigrants in California. The findings can be extrapolated to the licensing restrictions on undocumented immigrants in Illinois.

Executive Summary