Texas is cracking down on illegal aliens holding occupational licenses without a Social Security number.
A review of occupational licenses shows more than 18,000 license holders don’t a valid Social Security number.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation added the Social Security rule in late January 2026.
Thousands of cosmetologists, barbers, electricians, CDL drivers, plumbers and HVAC technicians could lose their occupational licenses unless they show proof of a valid Social Security number.
The law requires applicants to submit their Social Security number when applying for a license.
Illegal aliens in Texas will no longer be able to obtain an occupational license, local NBC affiliate KCEN 6 News reported.
Iris Yanez, an illegal alien, says she completed 1,000 hours of supervised training and spent $13,000 to earn her hairdresser credentials in early February.
Now she can’t work in a hair salon because her credentials were revoked.
“I’m going to have two credentials that I’m not going to be able to use,” Yanez told the Austin American-Statesman.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said the law helps protect jobs in Texas.
The law also helps “to combat fraud, human trafficking, and labor exploitation.”
Commissioners will vote to make the policy permanent this month.
