Thread: Ne - Update Legislature Debates Illegal Immigration

Update Legislature Debates Illegal Immigration Save Email Print



Posted: 10:51 AM Feb 24, 2009
Last Updated: 12:26 PM Feb 24, 2009
Reporter: KOLNKGIN & Associated Press



Nebraska lawmakers adjourned Tuesday without voting on a bill that would prevent illegal immigrants from receiving state benefits, and require some employers to verify the legal status of their workers.

The bill (LB403) requires state and local agencies to verify the legal status of anyone trying to collect public benefits. State Sen. Danielle Nantkes, who opposes the bill, told colleagues Tuesday that immigrants already are prohibited under federal law from receiving most state benefits.

The bill also would require public employers and contractors to check new employees' legal status once hired. The original proposals had covered all employers.

And the bill includes a proposal requiring those seeking state tax breaks to prove they verified their employees' legal status.

Lawmakers spent much of the morning on a controversial amendment.

The bill itself does not address the issue of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, but an amendment proposed by Sen. Charlie Janssen of Fremont would repeal the law.

Gov. Dave Heineman has targeted the in-state tuition law since his veto of it in 2006 was overridden.

To get in-state tuition, illegal immigrants must graduate from a Nebraska high school and must be pursuing, or promise to pursue, legal status.

Speaker of the Legislature Mike Flood said during debate that if the amendment is adopted, he'd call for a public hearing on the issue.

Sen. Janssen's amendment was still under consideration when lawmakers adjourned for the day.

http://www.kolnkgin.com/news/headlines/40222432.html

Illegal Immigration Measures Considered


Legislative bill would ban benefits for illegals
Posted: 10:16 AM Feb 24, 2009
Last Updated: 3:13 PM Feb 24, 2009
Reporter: Jaime McCutcheon
Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com

18 comments
Illegal immigration was front and center Tuesday as state lawmakers and other officials try to decide how best to address the issue.

In Lincoln, LB403 requires state and local agencies to verify the legal status of anyone trying to collect public benefits. State Sen. Danielle Nantkes, who opposes the bill, told colleagues that immigrants already are prohibited under federal law from receiving most state benefits.

The bill also would require public employers and contractors to check new employees' legal status once hired. The original proposals had covered all employers.

The bill includes a proposal requiring those seeking state tax breaks to prove they verified their employees' legal status. An amendment calls for banning some children of illegal immigrants from paying the lower in-state college tuition rate.

The Fremont City Council will take up its own resolution on illegal immigration Tuesday night. The council is expected to consider a measure supporting legal immigrants while calling for action to curb illegal immigration to serve "the best interests of the citizens."

The council is also expected to work on a new ordinance that would require employers to use a federal employment verification system called E-Verify.

The council attempted a similar ordinance last summer, but it was defeated.


http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/40222117.html

Senators Debate Illegal Immigration Bill


Posted: 6:41 PM Feb 24, 2009
Last Updated: 6:41 PM Feb 24, 2009
Reporter: Christie Bett
Email Address: christie.bett@kolnkgin.com



Illegal Immigration Debate

Debate between state lawmakers over a new illegal immigration bill got heated at the State Capitol Tuesday.

Interests and some tempers certainly got excited on the floor of the Legislature, and it all started with new bill LB 403, meant to help stop illegal immigrants by limiting their access to public benefits and checking the status of public employees.

The bill attacks the issue of illegal immigration on two fronts, limiting public benefits and requiring public employers to check the status of new hires.

Senator Russ Karpisek of Wilber introduced the bill, "This is not a gotcha bill or a deportation bill. This is a way for the state to save money by not paying benefits to people who are not here legally," said Karpisek.

But Senator Danielle Nantkes of Lincoln said she wanted to address what she believed to be unintended consequences of the bill.

"As currently written, we would require those state institutions to verify citizenship of every person taking an online course, every 4-H member working with an extension officer, a variety of other unintended consequences," said Nantkes.

Which she said she's confident can be worked out in an amendment. But Senator Brenda Council of Omaha wasn't as easily satisfied.

"[Amendment] 435 runs squarely in the face of the Dream Act. The Dream Act is federal legislation that we chose to adopt as a state," said Council.

Even with opposition, Karpisek says he's optimistic and glad to hear the important issue being vocalized.

"It is an emotional issue. Constituents do want to have something done about immigration, and again I think this is a good first step. It's not overly intrusive, but something being done," said Karpisek.

The bill will be addressed on the floor again Wednesday, because as Senator Karpisek says, after debate over an in-state tuition amendment, he's not sure where they are at as far as voting on the bill.

Senator Charlie Janssen of Fremont introduced the amendment Tuesday, which would bar some children of illegal immigrants from paying the lower in-state tuition rate.


http://www.kolnkgin.com/news/headlines/40256837.html

The bill attacks the issue of illegal immigration on two fronts, limiting public benefits and requiring public employers to check the status of new hires.

I wish this bill could pass in every state.

Lawmakers Advance Immigration Bill

Published: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 11:29 PM CST

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — State lawmakers have advanced a compromise illegal-immigration bill to the next round of debate. Meanwhile, questions about in-state tuition for some illegal immigrants will get a public hearing.

The bill would require public employers and contractors to check new employees’ legal status once hired. It would also require that state and local agencies verify the legal status of anyone trying to collect public benefits.

Sen. Charlie Janssen of Fremont withdrew his amendment that would overturn a state law that lets some children of illegal immigrants pay the lower, in-state college tuition rates.

Speaker Mike Flood said the amendment needs a public hearing.

Janssen says he’ll reintroduce it on the next round of bill debate.

www.yankton.net