Qualifying young immigrants can be permitted to drive in Nebraska following a successful veto override May 28.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s license or state identification card.<\/p>\n
Senators passed the bill May 21 on a 34-9 vote, but Gov. Pete Ricketts vetoed it May 27.<\/p>\n
In his veto message to the Legislature, Ricketts said the bill would grant too many illegal immigrants privileges. Under LB623, Ricketts said, any immigrant with approved deferred action status could be issued a driver\u2019s licenses and state identification card.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe bill is wrong on principle and the bill is overly broad,\u201d Ricketts wrote.<\/p>\n
Nordquist offered a motion to override the governor\u2019s veto, saying that pending federal programs to extend deferred status to adult illegal immigrants will be litigated for years.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is extremely unlikely it will move forward,\u201d Nordquist said, adding that the only people who will be affected by the bill are current DACA recipients.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are thousands of bright, young, educated immigrant youth in our state who are in need of the legal right to drive,\u201d Nordquist said. \u201cIt\u2019s time to remove a barrier to the success of these kids and also the success of our economy and our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte agreed with the governor\u2019s assessment of the bill, saying that it would give driving privileges to all of the state\u2019s illegal immigrants with deferred status. If the measure was narrowed to benefit only DACA recipients, Groene said, he would support it.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s come back with an accurate bill,\u201d Groene said. \u201cLet\u2019s see what the courts do and let\u2019s do it right.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hastings Sen. Les Seiler supported the motion to override the veto. Denying driver\u2019s licenses to young immigrants who have become doctors and lawyers in Nebraska creates an absurd and embarrassing situation, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou mean to tell me we will authorize a license to a person to practice medicine in the state of Nebraska but they can\u2019t drive a car?\u201d Seiler said. \u201cWhat kind of mentality is that?\u201d<\/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. Those who meet DACA guidelines are eligible for a work permit and may request deferred action for two years, subject to renewal.<\/p>\n
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 LB623, DACA recipients will be required to relinquish a state driver\u2019s license or identification card if their lawful status is revoked by the federal government.<\/p>\n
Lawmakers voted 34-10 to override the governor\u2019s veto. Thirty votes were needed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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