Heineman: Immigration proposal won't lead to racial profiling

By Harold Reutter

Published: Friday, January 7, 2011 10:43 PM CST

Although Friday was largely a day of celebration for Gov. Dave Heineman and Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy, their families and their political supporters, there is no question that several contentious issues lie ahead for state government.

Heineman addressed several of those issues - including immigration, the state's child welfare system and the Keystone pipeline - during a press conference with reporters following the Inaugural Gala Luncheon at the Heartland Events Center in Grand Island.

A television reporter asked Heineman about the advisability of Nebraska passing a state law on illegal immigration when it seems likely that the issue will end up being litigated in court and other states are already fighting court battles on that very issue.


"I support legal immigration, not illegal immigration," Heineman responded. He said Nebraska got out ahead of the issue when it passed a law saying that only legal residents of the country could receive public benefits and public employment. That law requires all government to use E-Verify to ensure that illegal immigrants are not receiving state benefits or state contracts.

Heineman said he thinks the proposed legislation is just another step in the same direction. As he described it, law enforcement would simply ask to see people's driver's licenses as part of their law enforcement duties.

If people can identify themselves through a valid driver's license, there will no problem and the person will be able to go on his or her way, he said. If they cannot identify themselves as a legal resident of the U.S., law enforcement will proceed from that point, Heineman said.

He said he did not think the proposed legislation would lead to racial profiling if it becomes law.

A portion of LB48 says the following: "A peace officer shall determine the immigration status of a person who has been lawfully stopped, detained, or arrested when reasonable suspicion exists that the person is unlawfully present in the United States."

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