New Immigration Rule in Texas Can Make Thousands of Licensed Workers Lose Jobs

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has passed a new rule that could pose a substantial threat to the jobs of thousands of licensed workers in the State. According to several news reports, the department has taken away the right of undocumented immigrants to earn licenses and certifications. This move reflects a major step taken by Texas AG Ken Paxton to eliminate a provision made in 2001.

What does this new rule signify? How may this new rule impact the Texas workforce? Here, our EB-1A experts have answered and outlined all the details of this essential news.

What does the new rule mean?

According to the new rule, workers without social security numbers will no longer be able to get hold of or renew licenses for skilled work in the state. The change will take effect from 1st May. In defense of the new rule, Paxton has said:

“Illegal aliens who don’t belong in this country should not be rewarded for their criminal actions by receiving occupational licenses that allow them to undercut the wages of American Citizens.”

He further added: “I have rescinded John Cornyn’s legal opinion that put Texans last by rolling out the red carpet for the invasion of our State. Illegals must be rounded up and deported instead of being given licenses to steal opportunities from the Americans.”

Though previously, the undocumented immigrants were eligible to get occupational licenses in Texas, this rule is going to kill off that right.

Which jobs are going to be affected the most?

There are certain professional services that require dedicated licenses. These jobs are electricians, HVAC contractors, commercial drivers, hairdressers, cosmetologists, barbers, and more. According to government data, around 18,000 licenses in Texas are not linked to the Social Security Number. However, when the law starts taking effect, people without a valid Social Security number will become ineligible to apply for these licenses.

Which group of non-citizens are exempted?

Not all non-citizens will be absolutely ineligible for the licenses. Some noncitizens will still get licenses if they can prove that they were granted asylum or admitted as a refugee. Moreover, if the concerned non-citizen is recognized as a victim of human-trafficking, through the proper legal pathway, they will also be eligible for the licenses. In other words, the new law suggests that citizenship is not mandatory for being a licensed tradesman in Texas. But they need to have legal immigration status.

At GCEB1, our EB-1A consultants regularly write about discussions, analysis, and insights on the international immigration landscape. Stay tuned to our blog section to get the latest updates on the U.S. Immigration arena. We wish you a safe and stress-free immigration journey ahead.

Sources & Further Readings

1. ““Thousands of Licensed Workers in Texas Could Be Out of Jobs After New Rule Change.”" FOX 4 News. Published March 24, 2026.
2. Serrano, Alejandro, and Ayden Runnels.“Texas Will Require Proof of Legal Immigration Status to Get Professional Licenses." The Texas Tribune, March 24, 2026.
3. “New Rule for Immigrants in Texas from May 1: Thousands of Licensed Workers Could Be Out of Jobs."The Times of India, March 26, 2026.