NEBRASKA TO GIVE LICENSES TO DREAMERS
For the second time in two days, Nebraska legislators have overrode a veto by Gov. Pete Ricketts, this time authorizing the state to give drivers’ licenses to children of undocumented immigrants who are eligible for temporary residence in the U.S. (known as DREAMers). “The bill is wrong on principle, and the bill is overly broad,” the Republican governor said, explaining fears that it would apply to more people than intended.
Legislators disagreed, voting 34-10 to override him. “It’s unfortunate that Gov. Ricketts has decided to try to score cheap political points by attacking bright young immigrants with a legal presence in our country,” said bill sponsor Jeremy Norquist.
By DON WALTON | LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR20
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The Legislature on Thursday swiftly overrode Gov. Pete Ricketts' veto of legislation to end Nebraska's ban on issuing driver's licenses to the children of undocumented immigrants who have settled in the United States.
Omaha Sen. Jeremy Nordquist's motion was adopted on a comfortable 34-10 vote. An override requires at least 30 votes.
Thursday's action marked the third straight time the governor has lost a major veto confrontation with the Legislature.
A day earlier, senators overrode his veto of the bill (LB26
repealing the death penalty in Nebraska, and before that the Legislature approved an increase in the state gas tax despite the governor's objections.
Enactment of Nordquist's bill ends Nebraska's status as the only state that denies driver's licenses to young immigrants who were brought to this country as children.
Nordquist disputed Ricketts' contention in his veto message that the bill (LB623) was so broadly phrased it would require the state to issue licenses to "any illegal immigrant who has approved deferred action status," not just to young adults covered by President Barack Obama's DACA (deferred action for childhood arrivals) executive order.
That is "completely inaccurate," Nordquist said.
The bill would apply only to an estimated 2,700 young people in Nebraska who are included in the DACA designation, he said.
LB623 would contribute to "the success of these kids, the economy and the community," Nordquist said.
Ricketts continued to challenge Nordquist's description of the legislation after his veto was overridden.
"The legislation passed today extends these benefits to any illegal immigrant who has 'approved deferred action status,' and not just the young adults senators intended to help," the governor said in an afternoon statement.
A small gathering of the so-called young Dreamers listened in the legislative visitors gallery as senators debated the motion to override the veto.
Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha reminded senators that many of the young immigrants were brought here because their parents had been recruited to "work in the fields and work in the packing plants" in Nebraska.
During the debate, Sen. Bill Kintner of Papillion directed a warning to freshman senators in the nonpartisan Legislature who have been opposing the governor on a number of issues despite having been elected as conservative Republicans.
"You'll never be able to run from these votes," he said. "They're going to be with you forever. These votes are going to be thrown in your face."
Nordquist said senators should continue to base their decisions on "policy, not threats."
Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSDon.
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