In some much-needed good news, Texas AG Ken Paxton rescinded a 2001 opinion by then-AG John Cornyn that allowed applicants without a Social Security Number to obtain occupational licenses via affidavits, enabling some illegal immigrants to do so for over 25 years.
Paxton’s new opinion mandates a valid SSN, bars undocumented individuals, and enforces Gov. Abbott’s English proficiency rules for truck drivers as part of a plan to “protect Texas jobs” and prevent the undercutting of American workers.
In a thunderous statement, Paxton slammed Cornyn’s opinion as enabling “illegal aliens” and “invasion.” While some critics have framed the move as cynical to gain an advantage in the upcoming race between Cornyn and Paxton, many others have applauded it.
Breaking down the situation, a viral post read, “RINO: Paxton just overturned John Cornyn’s 2001 ruling that let illegal aliens get Texas occupational licenses. The AG enforced Abbott’s English requirement & limited licenses to legal residents. Cornyn is furious that Paxton has overruled his opinion that illegal aliens should be given occupational licenses in Texas. Can we just all agree it is time for Cornyn to retire?”
Additionally, an image attached to the same post reads, “A 2001 legal opinion from John Cornyn allowed illegal aliens to obtain occupational driver’s licenses in Texas for more than 25 years,” adding, “Attorney General Ken Paxton reversed that policy.”
The post noted that Paxton accomplished this goal by “Enforcing Greg Abbott’s requirement that Texas truck drivers speak English & ruling that only legal residents may receive occupational licenses. Cornyn responded with outrage after his long-standing policy was overturned.”
In the original 2001 opinion, then-Attorney General John Cornyn stated, “Therefore, the practice of requiring the provision of a social security number, if the applicant possesses one, is required under federal law. An individual is not required to have a social security number as a condition of receiving a driver’s license.”
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Firing back, Paxton noted, “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.”
Doubling down, the current Texas AG explained, “I have rescinded John Cornyn’s legal opinion that put Texans last by rolling out the red carpet for the invasion of our State.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 Americans.”
The same document stated the next steps for enforcement, saying, “Further, Attorney General Paxton has issued a new opinion, ending state agencies’ obligation to provide occupational licenses to foreign nationals who entered America unlawfully.
“This new ruling builds on Governor Greg Abbott’s strong directive to the Texas Department of Public Safety to keep Texas roads safe by strictly enforcing English language proficiency requirements for commercial truck licenses,” the press release concluded.
Reacting ot the initial post, users were thrilled by the news. “Unlike RINO Republicans Ken Paxton can read the tea leaves and conducts himself accordingly. He’s been an excellent AG and will make an outstanding Senator after beating sellout Senator John Cornyn in the next Republican primary,” one conservative reacted.
Featured image: The United States Department of Justice, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Texas_Attorney_General_Ken_Paxton_delivers_remarks.jpg