Thread: NE - Illegal Immigration Bill Makes Final Round of Debate

A compromise bill that seeks to deter illegal immigration has been advanced to the final round of debate in the Legislature.

However, some lawmakers remain unconvinced that its provisions will work toward curbing the problem. In addition, they say and the bill could end up costing the state.

The bill (LB403) has undergone many changes since introduction by Senator Russ Karpisek of Wilber.

As it stands, it would require state and local agencies to verify the legal status of anyone trying to collect some public benefits. It would also require public employers and contractors to check their employees' legal status once hired.

In debate on Thursday, Karpisek said the bill is not intended to be the end-all solution, but it is a step in the right direction.
http://www.kolnkgin.com/home/headlines/41914362.html

Does anyone know what the compromise was in this bill? I don't know if I should root for this and/or pray that it doesn't pass?

I like the parts about all the info. being checked before giving people welfare and/or goodies. And the E-verify system being enforced. In addition to the posts presented on this matter, I am going to go to www.senate.org and look up this bill.

Neb. Lawmakers Advance Illegal-Immigration Bill

Published: Thursday, March 26, 2009 11:09 PM CDT
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A compromise bill that seeks to deter illegal immigration has been advanced to the final round of debate in the Legislature.

But following debate Thursday, some lawmakers remained unconvinced that its provisions will work toward curbing the problem and that the bill (LB403) could end up costing the state.

“We ought to be honest about what this bill does and does not do,â€

Immigration bill on way to final reading
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By JoANNE YOUNG / Lincoln Journal Star
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 - 07:39:31 pm CDT

The Legislature advanced immigration legislation to final reading on Thursday, even as several senators said it would do nothing to solve illegal immigration problems in the state.

"I'm afraid LB403 is a hollow promise to the people of Nebraska," said Lincoln Sen. Ken Haar.

"Every one of our constituents wants illegal immigration to stop, but we want some real solutions."
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Sen. Russ Karpisek, District 32
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Sen. Russ Karpisek, District 32
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The bill adds nothing to the process that wouldn't happen if public agencies and employers followed the laws already in place, Haar said.

Omaha Sen. Brenda Council said the Legislature needs to be honest with people about what the bill accomplishes.

LB403, introduced by Sen. Russ Karpisek of Wilber and amended by the Judiciary Committee, would prohibit state agencies, cities, counties and any other political subdivisions from providing public benefits, except those approved by the federal government, to undocumented workers.

It also would give the state Department of Labor two years to educate the private sector on how to use the federal E-Verify system for new hires and then report to the Legislature on its use.

It would not mandate E-Verify for private businesses, except for those that have public contracts with the state or other political subdivisions — such as with the Health and Human Services Department, construction and roads projects, and education — beginning Oct. 1.

Omaha Sen. Brad Ashford, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, acknowledged the bill would not save money for the state.

But since the real cost of illegal immigration is the broad brush of discrimination it paints on legal immigrants — especially Hispanics— the bill would set a standard for hiring only those people who are in the state legally, he said. Thus, the state would not be encouraging a subservient class of people.

The immigration bill Ashford originally introduced would have required all businesses to verify legal status of new hires. Those employers who would have knowingly hired undocumented workers would have been subject to sanctions.

As part of a compromise, the role of private businesses was substantially changed in the bill that advanced from the committee.

Senators passed an amendment Thursday that would ensure that no public employee who is not a citizen or qualified by federal law could participate in any retirement system. It also clarifies that verification of legal status would be done for all new public employees physically working in the state.

A number of senators said illegal immigration has been a hot-button issue in their districts, with many people believing public benefits are costing the state millions of dollars.

Sen. John Wightman of Lexington said every study he has seen shows that is not happening. Yet that's where much of the resentment is focused, he said.

A lot of people would like to see all illegal residents deported tomorrow, he said.

"That's not going to happen," Wightman said. "People saying that don't really realize what they're asking for."

Deporting 12 million (the estimate ranges as high as 20 million) people nationally would lead to a depression, he said.

Reach JoAnne Young at 473-7228 or jyoung@journalstar.com.
http://www.journalstar.com/news/politic ... 353117.txt

I love this comment from the Journal Star article above:

" 20,000,000 Illegal’s, at 50 per bus is 400000 busloads, if we run 1000 busses two round trips per day, we could be done in 200 days. This sounds like a perfect idea for a stimulus project.

That would not lead to depression that would lead to quite the little boom to the transportation industry if you ask me... "