Thread: NE- Unicameral Passes Bill Targeted at Illegal Immigrants

Unicameral Passes Bill Targeted at Illegal Immigrants


Requires proof of legal status before collecting state benefits
Posted: 2:23 PM Apr 3, 2009
Last Updated: 3:49 PM Apr 3, 2009

Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com

1 comments


State lawmakers have passed a compromise bill that's aimed at illegal immigration.

The bill (LB403) from Sen. Russ Karpisek of Wilber got 44 votes Friday and now goes to Gov. Dave Heineman, who had asked Karpisek to introduce it. No senator voted against it, although five didn't vote.

The bill would require state and local agencies verify the legal status of anyone trying to collect public benefits, including food stamps, unemployment and welfare. It would not overturn a law that lets some children of illegal immigrants pay in-state tuition rates at a state college or university.

Emergency medical care, short-term emergency disaster relief not in the form of cash and public health assistance for immunizations are among the benefits not affected by the bill.

The bill also would require public employers and contractors to check their employees' legal status once hired, using the federal Internet-based system E-Verify or an equivalent federal system, should it be replaced.

The state Department of Labor would be required to report to the Legislature no later than Dec. 1, 2011, about Nebraska employers' use of the federal system.

Although senators haven't detailed what the additional checks could save the state, Karpisek has pointed to savings accumulated by the Labor Department.

By verifying the legal status of people receiving unemployment insurance benefits, the department saved more than $322,000 in 2008, Labor Commissioner Catherine Lang said Friday. In 2007, the effort saved nearly $377,000.

A 1996 federal law already prohibits illegal immigrants from receiving most state benefits.

Some senators have cited that law when criticizing the state bill.


http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/42430987.html

Fantastic!

Goodness, there are actually pockets of sanity left in this country. Go NE!
This should be mandatory for every state in the union, especially when it comes to the public dole of their tax dollars, while illegals have been sending remittances out of the country by the billions.

Great! This should be the norm all accross the country.

ANYONE THAT IS ON WELFARE NEEDS TO BE MANDATORY DRUG TESTED AND CITIZENSHIP PASSED BEFORE ANY BENEFIT IS GIVEN!!!!!

No senator voted against it, although five didn't vote.

This is my state. I'm so proud! Surprised quite frankly, but happy! I think I will send Thank-you notes to all of them. We need to reinforce such sanity.

The bill would require state and local agencies verify the legal status of anyone trying to collect public benefits, including food stamps, unemployment and welfare. It would not overturn a law that lets some children of illegal immigrants pay in-state tuition rates at a state college or university.

The only negative note - NE still allows illegal aliens to pay in-state tuition.