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Committee shoots down bill prohibiting illegal immigrants from in-state tuition
Katie Steiner
Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: News
The debate has intensified over a legislative bill that would prohibit illegal immigrants from receiving in-state tuition at the University of Nebraska.
On Thursday, the Nebraska Legislature's Judicial Committee voted 5-1 to kill LB963, which was sponsored by Sen. Mike Friend of Omaha on behalf of Gov. Dave Heineman.
The bill sought to require state agencies to verify individuals applying for state benefits are legal U.S. citizens. State agencies also would be prohibited from providing state benefits to illegal immigrants.
The committee's main concern over the bill was that it would repeal a bill passed in 2005 that allows illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition as long as they followed certain specifications.
There are 28 illegal immigrants enrolled at the University of Nebraska.
During a press conference on Friday, the governor responded to the committee's decision, saying he was "extraordinarily disappointed" in the decision to kill LB963.
"This battle is not over yet," Heineman said. "Nebraskans are going to be very upset and very angry when they learn what the committee did."
At the same press conference, Attorney General Jon Bruning accused the Judicial Committee of being "an embarrassment to the Legislature."
After Bruning and Heineman were done speaking, Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, a member of the Judicial Committee, took the podium, saying the two men were "riding a crest of racism."
Sen. Brad Ashford of Omaha, who is chairman of the Judicial Committee, told The Associated Press his committee would reconsider the bill only if Heineman agreed to remove the provision about in-state tuition.
katiesteiner@dailynebraskan.com
On Thursday, the Nebraska Legislature's Judicial Committee voted 5-1 to kill LB963, which was sponsored by Sen. Mike Friend of Omaha on behalf of Gov. Dave Heineman.
The bill sought to require state agencies to verify individuals applying for state benefits are legal U.S. citizens. State agencies also would be prohibited from providing state benefits to illegal immigrants.
The committee's main concern over the bill was that it would repeal a bill passed in 2005 that allows illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition as long as they followed certain specifications.
There are 28 illegal immigrants enrolled at the University of Nebraska.
During a press conference on Friday, the governor responded to the committee's decision, saying he was "extraordinarily disappointed" in the decision to kill LB963.
"This battle is not over yet," Heineman said. "Nebraskans are going to be very upset and very angry when they learn what the committee did."
At the same press conference, Attorney General Jon Bruning accused the Judicial Committee of being "an embarrassment to the Legislature."
After Bruning and Heineman were done speaking, Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, a member of the Judicial Committee, took the podium, saying the two men were "riding a crest of racism."
Sen. Brad Ashford of Omaha, who is chairman of the Judicial Committee, told The Associated Press his committee would reconsider the bill only if Heineman agreed to remove the provision about in-state tuition.
katiesteiner@dailynebraskan.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 10
nevhusker
posted 3/03/08 @ 12:48 AM CST
The beautiful thing about politicians is when they foul up they have to run for re-election!
That is precisely what needs to happen in this situation. (Continued…)
Lea Hankamer
posted 3/03/08 @ 7:00 AM CST
Allow illegal aliens to receive in-state tuition? Poppycock! As legal citizens of the United States, we paid out-of-state tuition for five years for our daughter. (Continued…)
Troy Wiegand
posted 3/03/08 @ 7:35 AM CST
To the 28 illegal immigrants at the University of Nebraska, if I find out who you are I will do my best to see that you and any illegal relatives you have here in MY country are deported with maximum haste. (Continued…)
Joe
posted 3/03/08 @ 8:20 AM CST
This is a sad day for Nebraska. I never understand why we allow people to continue raping our country.
Jerry
posted 3/03/08 @ 8:38 AM CST
If we know that 28 illegals are taking classes, why don't we deport them?
This whole thing is a joke!! My wife and I lived in Nebraska all our lives and graduated from UNL. (Continued…)
Brian
posted 3/03/08 @ 1:51 PM CST
Giving ILLEGAL aliens in state tution is appalling. The fact that UNL supports illegal aliens by even allowing them into school makes UNL an accomplice to a crime. (Continued…)
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