2008 Woodie Awards
Vote Absentee
Bill would deny Nebraska's illegal immigrants in-state tuition
Katie Steiner
Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: News
The Nebraska Legislature may be asked to review a bill that would prohibit illegal immigrants from receiving in-state tuition at the University of Nebraska and the Nebraska State College System.
LB963, which was sponsored by Sen. Mike Friend of Omaha on behalf of Gov. Dave Heineman, would require state agencies to verify individuals applying for state benefits are legal U.S. citizens.
The bill also would prohibit state agencies from providing state benefits to illegal immigrants, meaning illegal immigrants could not receive retirement, welfare, unemployment benefits, public or assisted housing.
The bill would not apply to emergency medical benefits, short-term disaster relief or assistance necessary for protection of life and safety.
During a public hearing on the issue before the Legislature's Judicial Committee on Wednesday, Friend said, "If the state can control anything, what would it be? We might have hit on something."
Also speaking before the committee, Gov. Heineman said the federal government had failed to regulate immigration law and, therefore, the responsibility had fallen onto individual states.
The governor also said it was not fair for illegal immigrants to receive the same benefits as legal immigrants, who had done the work needed to become U.S. citizens.
"You shouldn't receive benefits if you're here illegally," Heineman said.
LB963 would also repeal a bill passed almost two years ago that allowed illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition if they followed certain specifications, including signing an affidavit stating their intent to become a legal citizen.
NU President J.B. Milliken said 28 illegal immigrants are currently enrolled in the university system.
Milliken and NU Board of Regents Chairman Chuck Hassebrook stated their opposition to LB963 during Wednesday's hearing.
"(Illegal immigrant students) have the potential to become contributing members (of the state)," Hassebrook said. "If we don't allow them to develop that potential ... we force them into the permanent underclass."
The Judiciary Committee will determine if the bill should go before the full Legislature, which would ultimately decide if LB963 should be written into law.
katiesteiner@dailynebraskan.com
LB963, which was sponsored by Sen. Mike Friend of Omaha on behalf of Gov. Dave Heineman, would require state agencies to verify individuals applying for state benefits are legal U.S. citizens.
The bill also would prohibit state agencies from providing state benefits to illegal immigrants, meaning illegal immigrants could not receive retirement, welfare, unemployment benefits, public or assisted housing.
The bill would not apply to emergency medical benefits, short-term disaster relief or assistance necessary for protection of life and safety.
During a public hearing on the issue before the Legislature's Judicial Committee on Wednesday, Friend said, "If the state can control anything, what would it be? We might have hit on something."
Also speaking before the committee, Gov. Heineman said the federal government had failed to regulate immigration law and, therefore, the responsibility had fallen onto individual states.
The governor also said it was not fair for illegal immigrants to receive the same benefits as legal immigrants, who had done the work needed to become U.S. citizens.
"You shouldn't receive benefits if you're here illegally," Heineman said.
LB963 would also repeal a bill passed almost two years ago that allowed illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition if they followed certain specifications, including signing an affidavit stating their intent to become a legal citizen.
NU President J.B. Milliken said 28 illegal immigrants are currently enrolled in the university system.
Milliken and NU Board of Regents Chairman Chuck Hassebrook stated their opposition to LB963 during Wednesday's hearing.
"(Illegal immigrant students) have the potential to become contributing members (of the state)," Hassebrook said. "If we don't allow them to develop that potential ... we force them into the permanent underclass."
The Judiciary Committee will determine if the bill should go before the full Legislature, which would ultimately decide if LB963 should be written into law.
katiesteiner@dailynebraskan.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 9
Jerry
posted 2/28/08 @ 7:59 AM CST
Good! It's about time!
It makes no sense that a person who shouldn't even be in the country would get in-state tuition.
Troy Wiegand
posted 2/28/08 @ 10:12 AM CST
This is a good start. Now if we could just kick all of the illegals out of this country, or if they want to stay I think they could have a future as Soylent Green. (Continued…)
uniteasone
posted 3/11/08 @ 5:13 PM CST
AMERICAN CITIZENS are having a rough time as it is to send their own kids to schools! so why should we FUND school for PEOPLE that SHOULD NOT be here???
well by now we have heard about governor spitzers down fall! and he wanted to give illegals a drivers license. (Continued…)
Mrs. Wiegand
posted 3/12/08 @ 7:17 AM CST
Good Start!
Sadly, I bet we are still giving them all welfare.
Julian Hernandez
posted 3/28/08 @ 1:43 PM CST
Wow its sad the way you people think.... Sure its ok to use them for hard labor but as soon as they ask for some rights then they become a bother? They give to the economy as much as they can( they cant even get a tax refund) and they portray an ideal family structure. (Continued…)
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