Thread: Neb. Governor Lends Support to State E-Verify Bill

Published Tuesday December 23, 2008

Heineman says he'd likely sign 'e-verify' bill
PAUL HAMMEL
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

LINCOLN -- Gov. Dave Heineman lent his support today for a call by some state senators to adopt an "e-verify" system of requiring employers to check workers' immigration status.

However, Heineman said he opposed mandating e-verify through an executive order from his office, preferring to let the Legislature debate the issue.

If lawmakers send him a bill, Heineman said, he'd expect to sign it.

"I anticipate that could happen in this (next) legislative session," he said .

On another topic, Heineman said setting up a 24-hour crisis response hotline for families of troubled youths would be a positive step toward addressing the issues raised this year by the state's former safe haven law.

More than 30 children, mostly teens and pre-teens suffering from mental, emotional and behavioral problems, were dropped off at hospitals across the state until the Legislature met in special session to restrict the law to newborns only.

A task force of legislators, advocates and providers are working on a proposal for the Legislature to consider in 2009. The hotline idea has drawn broad support.

http://omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10522005

This is good news!

Dixie

Pass e-verifiy and get it sent to the governor!!

Heineman Declines Use of Executive Power to Curb Illegal Immigration
Governor wants Legislature to reach 'consensus' on reform

by Samuel McKewon

December 23, 2008


File Photo
Gov. Dave Heineman

While touting the benefits of E-government "as the way of the future" now that Nebraska drivers can renew their license plates online, Gov. Dave Heineman declined Tuesday to use his executive power and require the use of a federally-funded, online employee verification program to combat illegal immigration in the state.

Heineman will not issue an executive order that requires state contractors and subcontractors to use the free E-Verify system to screen out applicants who might be illegal immigrants.

"I don't think you need to do an executive order," Heineman said. "I think we ought to have that discussion at the Legislative level. Let them send me a bill I can sign into law."

That bill will likely come from Omaha Sen. Brad Ashford, who, in a recent hearing on illegal immigration, said he would include E-Verify in a bill next Legislative session. E-Verify is run by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and it matches information provided by a prospective employee to the U.S. Social Security database.

E-Verify often determines eligibility immediately, and is generally considered more than 90 percent accurate, although one study puts it at 99.4%.

Heineman does not have to wait for the Legislature. He could issue an executive order for state contracts, similar to the order Pres. Bush enacted on 200,000 federal contractors and subcontractors starting in 2009. Governors in other states, such as Rhode Island and Minnesota, have required the use of e-Verify by executive order.

Although Heineman he would "strongly consider" E-Verify, he deferred to the Legislature to hammer out a plan.

"Sen. Ashford has conducted a number of hearings," Heineman said. "I think we're moving forward with a consensus on what we might be able to do on immigration reform."

That reform is not likely to include any enactment of 287g, a federal program in which Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials train state and local authorities on how to detain and process any illegal immigrant they encounter in their daily police work.

“Right now there’s just no support in the local law enforcement community,â€

Illegal Immigration Bill Will Include E-Verify

by Samuel McKewon

December 30, 2008

Story image 1

File Photo
Omaha Sen. Brad Ashford

Nebraska State Sen. Brad Ashford already vowed to put forth a bill targeting illegal immigration during a recent hearing. On Tuesday, he began to flesh out what that plan will look like.

Ashford’s proposal will require any state contractor or subcontractor to use E-Verify, a federally-funded employment verification program, to weed out potential undocumented workers. E-Verify, operated through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, matches names against the Social Security Database. It is believed to be at least 90 percent effective, although one study has it at 99.4% accurate.

Last week, Gov. Dave Heineman declined to consider issuing an executive order to mandate use of E-Verify, preferring that Ashford, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, put forth his proposal and hash it out in the Legislature.

“Let them send me a bill I can sign into law," Heineman said at his most recent press conference.

Ashford will also propose a task force assigned to investigate and enforce any laws put into place.
http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/di ... ad8cf8f405