http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/article ... 129521.txt

Minutemen want to punish employers hiring illegal immigrants

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Nebraska's Minuteman Civil Defense Corps says it has a state lawmaker willing to sponsor a bill to punish businesses for hiring illegal immigrants, but won't say who it is.

The group wants Nebraska to fine businesses -- and revoke licenses in some cases -- if employers fail to verify that their employees are in the country legally.

Dennis Murphy, the director of the Nebraska chapter, wouldn't say which of Nebraska's 49 senators supports the idea and would potentially sponsor the bill.

"That individual would come under significant pressure by the opposition," Murphy said. "And that would not serve our purposes."

The Minutemen are best known for their presence at the Mexican border.

"It is the federal government's responsibility, but the federal government has abdicated its responsibility," said Dennis Murphy, director of the Nebraska chapter. "Therefore, it falls back to states to protect themselves."

Nebraska's Legislature reconvenes in January.