Despite the objection of Governor Pete Ricketts, Nebraska lawmakers on Wednesday were able to override his veto of the measure which enables young immigrants who entered the United States illegally to apply for both professional and commercial licenses.
In a report by KETV 7, the legislature voted 31-13 to override Ricketts' veto. 30 votes were only needed in order to override. Omaha state Senator Heath Mello said on Wednesday morning that the bill will move Nebraska forward. The bill will apply to immigrants who have received temporary legal status under a 2012 presidential executive order, which is estimated to cover 5,200 youths. They will be able apply for licenses in more than 170 professions.
Mello also said that the law intends to keep educated youth in Nebraska so they can continue to contribute to the economy, U.S. News reported.
Ricketts personally lobbied senators in an attempt to stop them from overriding his veto in the past days, Fox News reported. According to an unidentified lawmaker, the governor called him in hopes of swaying his vote but the governor failed to persuade him. Senator Les Seiler also released an open letter addressed to Ricketts saying that he will continue to support the legislation.
Supporters of the legislation said it would help fill jobs in a state where companies are struggling to find qualified workers, but Ricketts still argued that it is unfair to those who came to the state legally. Also, after the vote, Ricketts said he believes most Nebraska residents oppose giving professional licenses to the immigrants.
Nebraska has been fighting various aspects regarding immigration. Last year, it was the last state in the U.S. to extend driving privileges to immigrants who were allowed to stay in the U.S. under the 2012 program of Obama. Ricketts opposed the measure as well but Senators again overrode his veto.
It is unclear when the legislation will take effect.
