Immigration (Driver Licenses & IDs)

This legislative resolution directs the Judiciary Committee to conduct an interim study on policies that could protect certain community spaces from immigration enforcement. The study focuses on areas like schools, hospitals, and homeless shelters, examining how other states have implemented similar protections and what guidance their attorneys general have issued. It specifically looks at whether these sensitive locations should remain safe from immigration harassment, with exceptions for executing judicial warrants. The committee will review state and local government actions across the country before submitting findings and recommendations to the Legislature.

LB 886 amends Nebraska's driver's license laws to prohibit the issuance of licenses or permits to noncitizens without lawful U.S. immigration status. It also removes a previous exemption that allowed such individuals to operate vehicles without a license for up to 30 days. Consequently, people in Nebraska without legal immigration status must now comply with standard licensing requirements to drive, but they are barred from obtaining a license under the new rules. The bill repeals the original sections 60-474 and 60-488 of Nebraska's Revised Statutes.

Nebraska's LB 299 allows eligible immigrants authorized for employment (under federal rules as of January 1, 2025) and their dependents to access public benefits tied to employment. The bill expands eligibility for benefits like retirement programs (including state employee and school employee plans), unemployment assistance, education financial aid, and health-related support. It requires verification of employment authorization using standard documents (such as work permits or resident cards) but does not change existing definitions of public benefits or limit current eligibility. Dependents of eligible immigrant workers gain access to benefits without regard to their own immigration status. The bill amends multiple Nebraska statutes to implement these changes, effective upon passage.

Nebraska's LB 532 requires private employers with 25+ employees to use E-Verify to confirm new hires' work authorization within federal timeframes. It prohibits knowingly hiring unauthorized immigrants and imposes penalties, including license probation (1 year) or suspension (10-30 days for first violations) for noncompliance, with longer suspensions for repeat offenses. The bill excludes government agencies, political subdivisions, and bona fide independent contractors from these requirements. Violations trigger license discipline by the issuing agency, with reinstatement requiring termination of unauthorized workers and payment of fees.