DACA Nursing Grad, Denied License in Missouri, Story Goes Viral on TikTok
In recent news, the case of Alondra Orozco has brought attention to cases of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients seeking nursing licensure in Missouri. Orozco’s story, which she shared on TikTok, highlights the complex intersection of immigration policy and healthcare workforce development.
Alondra Orozco’s journey began when her family moved to the United States when she was five. Like many DACA recipients, Orozco grew up in America, attended school, and pursued higher education with the goal of contributing to her community. After successfully completing nursing school, Orozco found herself facing an unexpected obstacle: the state of Missouri refused to grant her a nursing license due to her immigration status as a DACA recipient.
This situation is not unique to Orozco. Many DACA recipients who have completed nursing education are unable to practice their chosen profession in Missouri. This creates a paradox where individuals with the education to work as nurses cannot work as nurses.
Legal and Policy Challenges
The core of the issue lies in Missouri’s current licensing regulations, which do not allow for DACA recipients to obtain nursing licenses. This policy stands in contrast to some other states that have found ways to accommodate DACA recipients in healthcare professions.
Advocates for change argue that this policy is not only detrimental to individuals like Orozco but also to the state’s healthcare system as a whole. They contend that updating licensing requirements to include DACA recipients could help address workforce shortages and improve healthcare access across Missouri.
Alondra took to TikTok to share her story, the first video amassed over 107K views. Since then she has been posting regular updates about her nurse licensure status on TikTok. She recently shared an update that she drove to Illinois and was able to walk in and obtain her license in 15 minutes. She says that she will continue to advocate for her Missouri RN license.
@alondraorozco.00 #missouri #DACA #registerednurse #immigration #2024 ♬ original sound – Alondra Orozco ✨
DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is a program that helps some young immigrants who came to the U.S. as kids. Started by the Obama administration in 2012, it lets these young people, often called “Dreamers,” stay in the U.S. and work legally. To qualify, they must have arrived before age 16, lived in the U.S. since June 15, 2007, and been under 31 as of June 15, 2012.
DACA has some big benefits: it protects from deportation, allows work permits, and lets recipients get a Social Security number and driver’s license. However, DACA doesn’t lead to permanent residency or citizenship. The program has faced many legal challenges and political debates, so its future is still up in the air. As of late 2022, around 580,000 people from almost 200 countries were DACA recipients.
Some people are against DACA. They feel it encourages illegal immigration and rewards those who came or stayed in the U.S. without legal documents. Critics also argue that DACA is unconstitutional because, in their view, only Congress should create immigration laws—not the president through executive actions.
Opponents say that DACA recipients might put extra pressure on public resources, like schools and healthcare, and could take jobs from American citizens.
The situation in Missouri reflects broader national conversations about immigration, healthcare, and workforce development. As stakeholders continue to grapple with these complex issues, the experiences of DACA recipients like Orozco will likely play a crucial role in shaping future policy decisions.
