Illegal Immigration Is A "Bone" Of Contention In Several Ways

By Ed Howard

February 19, 2009

There is more to the story of illegal immigrants working in Nebraska than meets our collective eyes. Perhaps that is the problem.

Lawmakers heard testimony Wednesday on legislation that would require employers to use the federal E-verify system to check on the resident status of workers, after they are hired. It would take effect in 2011.

The proposal brought an overflow crowd to the hearing on Sen. Brad Ashford’s LB34. Representatives of immigrant workers opposed the plan.

The debate over workers in the country illegally centers greatly a few industries – meatpacking and restaurants and construction and agriculture.

Ashford said the failure of Congress to take any effective action involving illegal immigrants has created “a permanent underclassâ€