Nebraska ends ban on driver's licenses for immigrant youths
The Nebraska Legislature has overridden the governor's veto and ended the nation's last ban on driving privileges for young people brought into the United States illegally as children.
Video: Nebraska ends ban on driver's licenses for immigrant youths
Senators in the one-chamber Legislature voted 34-10 to override Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts, who has backed the strict policy of his GOP predecessor to deny the licenses.
President Barack Obama announced an executive action in 2012 that gives the youths a Social Security number, a two-year work permit and protection from deportation. Although a few states initially announced that they would deny licenses to those youth, only Arizona and Nebraska ultimately adopted policies to exclude them. A court blocked Arizona's law in July.
Supporters of the plan in Nebraska say the youth shouldn't be penalized for their parents' actions.
"This means I can get to my jobs safely," said Yajaira Gonzalez. "This means I can go to work, I can go to school, I can take my little sisters to day care."
Gonzalez is one of 2,700 children of undocumented immigrants in the state, who were given deferred-action status by Obama.
The sponsor of the measure, Sen. Jeremy Nordquist, said it is the right thing to do for the future of the state.
"Nebraska needs a talented, young educated workforce," Nordquist said. "And we needed to remove barriers that were chasing people out of our state."
Supporters included a broad-based coalition, which included farm and business groups, and Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert.
Opponents believes it will open the door to other illegal immigrants getting licenses.
"When you cross your constituents too many times, you're going to be a spectator on the couch in three years," Sen. Bill Kintner said.
"Voters will hold you accountable, and I'm sure they will," said Sen. John McCollister. "But this is a issue I am happy to vote for."
With the law going into effect immediately, Dayana Lopez will soon be able to go to her local Department of Motor Vehicles office.
"We waited almost three years to get a license, so the sooner the better," Lopez said.
ACLU Nebraska commended the decision Thursday, saying the group expects all DMV locations to start issuing licenses for "dreamers" starting Friday and that they will monitor the implementation of the law.