A new Illinois law protects DACA recipients by including work Authorization Status Protection. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed HB 121 into law on August 2, 2021. The governor’s office stated HB 121 expands protections for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients by adding a new definition for ‘work authorization status’ to the Illinois Human Rights Act. As of August 2, it is a civil rights violation for employers, employment agencies, and labor organizations to discriminate against an employee or job applicant based on their federally authorized work status. Any person legally authorized to work in the United States, regardless of the length of their work authorization, is protected by the Illinois Human Rights Act.
Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton tweeted,
#HB121 is a critical force opening a pathway to civil rights protections for our immigrant neighbors with work authorization status. This is especially critical for our DACA-mented neighbors who often face employment discrimination due to their status as #DACA recipients.
HB 121:
✔ Strengthens the Illinois Human Rights Act
✔ Prohibits discrimination based on work authorization status
✔ Aligns protections in Illinois with federal law
✔ Protects international workers who choose Illinois as their workplace
The bill was sponsored by State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and State Representative Will Guzzardi to protect DREAMers from employment discrimination.
DACA is a politically popular program to protect the rights of innocent children and their fight to become United States citizens. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program launched during the Obama administration in 2012 to protect young undocumented immigrants from deportation. Program recipients are often called Dreamers, to reflect their American Dream.
Do you want to apply for DACA protection?
An experienced Dreamer lawyer can explain the new policy developments around U.S. immigration laws and how they might affect your and your family’s situation. Knowledge of the legal system is a powerful tool to protect people from deportation. To discuss your situation, call 630-912-0322 to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced DACA attorneys today.
Godoy Law Office serves the entire Chicago, Illinois area including DuPage, Cook, Kane, Will, and Lake Counties.
