Ken Paxton Rescinds Cornyn-Era Opinion on Texas License Requirements

With the Republican primary for U.S. Senate underway, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has withdrawn a 2001 legal opinion issued by then-Attorney General John Cornyn (R) concerning occupational license requirements in Texas.

The original opinion, issued on September 14, 2001, concluded that white Texas law required applicants for occupational licenses to submit a Social Security number; it did not require that applicants actually possess one.

That interpretation relied in part on non-binding federal guidance from the Clinton Administration.

Paxton has now formally rescinded that opinion, arguing that it created legal ambiguity and potential risk that individuals unlawfully present in the United States could obtain state-issued occupational licenses.

"To protect Texas Jobs," Paxton issued a new legal opinion emphasizing that Texas law "unambiguously requires occupational license applicants to  submit their social security numbers -- ensuring that all license recipients are authorized to work in accordance with state and federal law."

"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," said Paxton. "I have rescinded John Cornyn's legal opinion that put Texans last by rolling out the red carpet for the invasion of our State.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."

According to Paxton's office, the new opinion ends what it describes as state agencies' obligation to provide occupational licenses to foreign nationals who entered the country unlawfully.

The action also builds on Governor Greg Abbott's directive to the Texas Department of Public Safety to strictly enforce language proficiency requirements for commercial driver's licenses.

The move places immigration and workforce eligibility at the center of the high-profile GOP Senate contest between Paxton and Cornyn.