Thread: Nebraska:Immigration's economic implications

Immigration's economic implications
By: Martha Stoddard, WORLD-HERALD BUREAU
07/21/2008
Updated 07/22/2008 07:32:42 AM CDT

LINCOLN -- State and local laws on illegal immigration must be "careful and measured,'' or they could drive large employers out of rural Nebraska, the chairman of the Legislature's Judiciary Committee said Monday.

Also on Monday, Attorney General Jon Bruning stood by a 1997 opinion that suggests Fremont would face legal problems in trying to penalize businesses that hire illegal immigrants.

State Sen. Brad Ashford of Omaha, who heads the Judiciary Committee, offered no specific comment about an ordinance being considered by the Fremont City Council. He said each community needs to handle the issue in its own way.

But he urged caution with any legislation dealing with the issue of illegal immigrants because of potential economic repercussions.

"I think we need a reasoned, balanced approach,'' Ashford said. "I have some concern that major employers in the state could move to Kansas in a split second.''

The Fremont proposal would ban harboring and renting to illegal immigrants. Bob Warner, the councilman who sponsored the proposal, has said he also wants it to contain penalties for hiring illegal immigrants.

But a 1997 opinion by former Nebraska Attorney General Don Stenberg pointed to U.S. Supreme Court rulings recognizing the "pre-eminent role of the federal government with respect to the regulation of aliens within our borders.''

In the opinion, Stenberg concluded that federal law pre-empts any state attempt to impose fines on employers for hiring illegal immigrants.

Bruning stands by that opinion, said his spokeswoman, Leah Bucco-White. She said that was the message given to a group of Fremont leaders, including the mayor and city administrator, who met with the attorney general Monday.

If passed, the Fremont proposal barring renting to illegal immigrants is expected to draw legal challenges, which has been the fate of similar ordinances in other cities.

Ashford said he has concerns that state and local laws affecting illegal immigrants could lead to racial profiling, that people would view all Latino people as suspect because some are in the country illegally.

He also worries that employers, government agencies and others don't have access to reliable systems to check a person's immigration status, which could create a burden.

Gov. Dave Heineman declined to comment Monday about the Fremont proposal. Spokeswoman Jen Rae Hein said he has not studied it in detail.

Heineman tangled with the Judiciary Committee this year over a bill aimed at ensuring that illegal immigrants did not receive government benefits. The bill would have required state and local government agencies to verify the immigration status of people applying for benefits.

The governor wanted the bill to include repeal of a state law allowing Nebraska high school graduates who are illegal immigrants to attend public colleges and universities at resident tuition rates. The committee killed the bill rather than repeal the tuition law.

Warner said the Legislature's failure to act prompted him to pursue a local ordinance. It added to his frustration over what he sees as federal inaction on illegal immigration.

After the bill was killed, Ashford promised to study the issue before the Legislature convenes in January. He said Monday that he would introduce legislation if the study shows it is needed.

For the study, he plans to meet and talk with business and community leaders across the state. He said he will focus on visiting communities with large immigrant populations. No public hearings are planned.

Hein said the governor also expects to offer some type of immigration bills next year but has not decided on specifics. Earlier this month, Heineman repeated concerns about illegal immi
grants getting state or local benefits to which they are not entitled.

Contact the writer
402-473-9583,
martha.stoddard(at)owh.com


http://www.kearneyhub.com/site/news.cfm ... 7571&rfi=6

Have not the citizens who vote been so patience and reasonable?

On the illegals here in our country?

ICE - is there, right