Driver’s licenses for young immigrants approved

Lawmakers passed a bill May 21 that allows young immigrants to drive in Nebraska.

Introduced by Omaha Sen. Jeremy Nordquist, LB623 allows Nebraska residents of driving age who are covered by the federal Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to secure a driver’s license or state identification card.

Administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the DACA program is designed to protect from deportation individuals who were brought into the country illegally as children.

DACA recipients will be required to relinquish a state driver’s license or identification card if their lawful status is revoked by the federal government.

The bill passed on a 34-9 vote.