After prolonged debate, lawmakers gave first-round approval May 14 to a bill that would allow young immigrants to drive in Nebraska.<\/p>\n
Introduced by Omaha Sen. Jeremy Nordquist, LB623 would allow Nebraska residents of driving age who are covered by the federal Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to secure a driver\u2019s license or state identification card.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
In August 2012, then Governor Dave Heineman directed the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to deny driver\u2019s licenses to DACA recipients on the grounds that state law forbids granting public benefits to illegal aliens. Lawsuits are pending against Heineman and the department to stop the withholding of licenses.<\/p>\n
Nordquist said the state is treating DACA recipients differently from other similarly situated groups.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have young, talented people in our state who are authorized to stay here and obtain work permits but our state is refusing to allow them to apply for driver\u2019s licenses,\u201d he said. \u201cThese are well educated young adults who are making significant contributions to their economy but they have the potential to do more.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those who meet DACA guidelines are eligible for a work permit and may request deferred action for two years, subject to renewal. To qualify for the program residents must have:
\n\u2022 lived in the U.S. continuously since June 15, 2007;
\n\u2022 been no older than 31 as of June 15, 2012;
\n\u2022 entered the country prior to their 16th birthday;
\n\u2022 attended school, earned a diploma or general education certificate or been honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces; and
\n\u2022 not been convicted of a felony or significant misdemeanors.<\/p>\n
Under a Transportation and Telecommunications Committee amendment, adopted 34-0, DACA recipients would be required to relinquish a state driver\u2019s license or identification card if their lawful status were to be revoked by the federal government.<\/p>\n
North Platte Sen. Mike Groene introduced an amendment that would have offered a driving privileges card instead of a driver\u2019s license. The card would clearly indicate that the cardholder has temporary privileges. It also would authorize the DMV to revoke any driver\u2019s privileges card if a DACA recipient\u2019s lawful status were to be revoked.<\/p>\n
Groene said it must be made clear that DACA recipients do not have all of the rights afforded to citizens.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are here because their parents brought them. They\u2019re here by executive order, not congressional action,\u201d Groene said. \u201cIt\u2019s not clear [on the license] that these individuals are not citizens. We must make it clear that being a citizen is a privilege.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gothenburg Sen. Matt Williams supported the bill, saying it is essential to the state\u2019s economic development.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur entire state has a low unemployment issue, which is great,\u201d he said. \u201cAt the same time, we have many jobs in our state that are going unfilled because we don\u2019t have enough workers to fill them. If we\u2019re to continue expanding our agricultural base in our state, we must address the lack of necessary employees to make that happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Saying that DACA recipients want to stay and work in Nebraska, Crete Sen. Laura Ebke also supported the bill.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe knee-jerk reaction of saying these kids are illegal and shouldn\u2019t get benefits almost makes sense because we don\u2019t want to encourage illegal activity,\u201d she said, \u201cbut these [DACA recipients] are trying to live the American dream. They want to do all the things in Nebraska that we say we wish more kids would.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sen. Beau McCoy of Omaha opposed the bill. He said Nebraska is the only state to have \u201chardwired\u201d the federal policy in state statute.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur state law prohibits this. This bill could advance and I would argue that these individuals still would not receive licenses because [LB623] still does not change in statute all of the areas that talk about lawful status,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Papillion Sen. Bill Kintner introduced several amendments in an attempt to extend debate on the bill, saying that the state instead should encourage an easier path to legal immigration.<\/p>\n
After eight hours of debate spanning two days, Nordquist introduced a motion to invoke cloture\u2014or cease debate and force a vote on the bill\u2014which senators approved on a 39-6 vote. A successful cloture motion requires at least 33 votes in support.<\/p>\n
Following the adoption of a technical amendment, senators advanced the bill to select file on a 37-8 vote.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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