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American and foreign students are blasting new federal guidelines that say international students will be forced to leave the U.S. or transfer to another college if their schools offer classes entirely online this fall. (July 7) AP Domestic

Luis Chirino hasspent long hours designing, drawingand building projects to earn adegree in architecture from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, sometimes spending all night in a studio on the Newark campus.

But Chirino, 22, who lives in Jersey City,also has wonderedwhether the long nights of studying will pay off and if he will be able to practice his chosen profession in New Jersey once he graduates. As an immigrant without legal status, he can't obtain a professional license to work as an architect in New Jersey even if he graduatesand passes the required exams.

"It's an intensive program and thatcan be discouraging,'' said Chirino, who grew up in Elizabeth and is protected from deportation through the federal program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals."It's hard not to get emotional about it."

But that may soon change after the New Jersey Assembly on Thursday approved a bill toallow immigrants, regardless of their status, to apply for professional and occupational licenses in the state if they meet all other requirements. The legislation was approved by the state Senate last week and is expected to be signed by Gov. Phil Murphy.

Governor Murphy believes that immigrants are a critical part of the fabric of life in New Jersey, and that they should not face unnecessary barriers as they seek to participate in our society and economy,'' Alyana Alfaro, a Murphyspokeswoman, said prior to the Assembly vote.

It was not clear when the bill would reach Murphy's desk, but itwill take effect immediately once it becomes law.

Assemblyman Gary Schaer, (D-Passaic)one of the measure's sponsors, said the current COVID-19 pandemic placed demands on healthcare and essential workers, and that the legislation would address labor shortages in those areas.

Our immigrant community has been indispensable throughout this crisis,: he said. "By lifting this obstacle we can utilize the abilities of every single resident."

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The legislationwould be among the most sweeping in the country and the first on the east coast that would remove all immigration barriers to obtaining professional licenses, advocates said.California, Nevadaand New Mexico are among other states with similar legislation.

In New Jersey, dozens of professions and occupations require licenses, including accountants, architects, acupuncturists, audiologist, beauticians, court reporters, cosmetologists, doctors, dentists, engineers, home inspectors, morticians, nurses, occupational therapists, optometrists, pharmacists, plumbers, psychiatrists, real estate appraisers, social workersand veterinarians.

Although federal law prohibits employers from hiring someone living in the country illegally,immigrants of anylegal status are able to work as independent contractorsor to start a business using a Social Security orIndividual Tax Identification Number. DACA recipients like Chirino gain work authorizationas part of the federal program.

Thebill though has its opponents. Some whosay the legislationwillallowimmigrants, without legal status, to compete for professional jobs thatcould go to legal residents and U.S. citizens.

"It'sadditional competition for jobs, especially at a time like this,'' said Ira Mehlman, a spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which supports limits on immigration. "The law of supply and demand dictates that more workers you have to do a certain job the lower the price is going to be so it hurts them that way also."

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Assemblyman Harold Wirths (R-Sussex) voted no on the measure.

"We have rules and laws in this country and, if you come into the country illegally and you are in violation of the law, I don't think we should be granting you licenses,'' he said, noting it was a way of circumventing federal laws.

The bill though is not opposed by all Republicans in the state. Four Republican Senators voted in favor of the bill. They included Senators Chris Brown (R-Atlantic), Declan O'Scanlon (R-Monmouth),Kip Bateman (R-Somerset)and Gerry Cardinale (R-Bergen).

Ana Calderon, of Newark, is a student at Rutgers University in Newark who wants to be a doctor and would benefit from a bill being considered by New Jersey lawmakers that would eliminate legal immigration status as a requirement to obtain a professional or occupational licenses in the state.(Photo: Courtesy photo from Ana Calderon)

In high school, Estrella Rivas appliedfor volunteer opportunities at hospitals, but because she did not have legal status or a Social Security number she often received rejection notices. Rivas, who was born in El Salvador and moved to the United States when she was 4 years old, said she would call hospitals and state her case to volunteer until she was given an opportunity at Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, her hometown.At the hospital,she said shefirst was assigned to work in the emergency room and labor and delivery. Eventually, shewas given the opportunity to observe surgical procedures which she saidsolidified her resolve to become a doctor.

"So once I came to college I knew it was going to face barriers,'' said Rivas, a student at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. "So that's why we have to focus on the professional licensing bill."

Estrella Rivas, 22, of Elizabeth is studying biology at Rutgers University and wants to pursue a career as a pediatrician. She hopes to benefit from a bill being considered by New Jersey Assembly that would eliminate the requirement of legal immigration status to obtain a professional or occupational license in New Jersey.(Photo: Courtesy Photo from Estrella Rivas)

Rivas said many internships require a Social Security number, but proponents said the New Jersey bill could persuadecompanies and hospitals who offer internships to open their programs to immigrants without legal status.

Ana Calderon, 18, a student at Rutgers University in Newark,who also plans to pursue a medical career, said she too hopes that the bill will help her land internships. Calderon, who is majoring in neuroscience and minoring in social justice, was born in Spain and moved to the United States when she was 11years old.

"It would mean everything to me because if I'm able to get one, it means all the hard work and all of the things that I've done to get to that point is going to be worth it, and I'll be able to be a doctor in this country,'' she said, noting she too has been denied internship and hospital volunteer opportunities.

Chirino was born in El Salvador andsaid if the bill passes it will give him more reason to stay focused and achieve his dreams of becoming an architect.

"Itvalidates a lot of the sacrifices that I and my parents have made as immigrants,'' he said. "The fact that New Jersey is stepping up it makes me proud to have grown up here."

MonsyAlvaradois theimmigration reporter for NorthJersey.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news about one of the hottest issues in our state and country,please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email:alvarado@northjersey.comTwitter:@monsyalvarado

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