MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Gov. Tony Evers signed Assembly Bill 759 on Thursday, April 9 at Nuevo Mercado El Rey in Milwaukee, removing barriers to professional credentialing for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

The bipartisan bill allows DACA recipients living and working in Wisconsin to obtain credentials for occupations including registered nursing, dentistry, teaching, emergency medical services and the trades, as long as they meet all applicable requirements and hold a valid federal employment authorization document, according to the governor's office.

Evers noted:

"Immigrants play a critical role in our economy and our communities in every corner of our state—and they have for generations. In Wisconsin, we’ve always believed that if you work hard, obey the law, pay taxes, and play by the rules just like everyone else, you should have a fair shot at pursuing the American Dream, including having the opportunity to join our professional workforce."

The bill is aimed at addressing Wisconsin's workforce shortages in high-need industries. Workers' credentials may be renewed as long as their federal work authorization remains current.