Unicameral calls for immigration reform


World-Herald News Service | Posted: Saturday, April 12, 2014 4:00 am


LINCOLN — State lawmakers adopted a resolution Thursday calling on Congress to pass a
comprehensive immigration overhaul.


The nonbinding measure encourages the Nebraska congressional delegation to work for changes
similar to legislation approved by the U.S. Senate last year.


That legislation would require improvements to border security, after which the estimated 11 million
illegal immigrants would become eligible for a process to become lawful residents.


State Sen. Beau McCoy of Omaha, a Republican candidate for governor, argued strenuously against
the resolution, saying federal immigration laws need to be enforced, not changed.


He said Nebraskans want the borders secured and oppose any pathway to citizenship for illegal
immigrants.


"I don't think it (the resolution) does what the majority of Nebraskans want us to do," he said.
Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha made a vehement counter-argument, saying the immigration system is
broken and Congress has done nothing to fix it.


Congressional inaction has prompted state and local efforts to deal with immigration, such as a
Fremont ordinance aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from renting housing, he said.


"We're not trying to grant amnesty to anybody," Lathrop said. "We're calling for our federal
government to do something."


The 20-3 vote on the immigration resolution came after more than half of the 49 lawmakers had left
the chamber. A majority of the senators voting is sufficient to pass a resolution.


A later resolution supporting the use of clean coal passed on a 15-2 vote. Introduced on behalf of
utility and railroad groups, it called on the federal government to allow Nebraska to set less-stringent
emission requirements on coal-fired power plants.


Lawmakers also adopted a resolution commemorating Feb. 10 as the 60th anniversary of adding the
words "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance.


Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha protested the resolution, saying the Legislature should not go on
record recognizing one religion and suggesting the resolution instead be given a "Christian burial.

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