State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon introduced LB165 before the Judiciary Committee last Wednesday, a Legislative Bill that will require all Nebraska employers to check the immigration status of new hires and would expand on a 2009 state law, which requires public employers and businesses that contract with state government to check new employees against the federal E-Verify database.
The system shows whether an immigrant has legal authorization to work in the United States. Sen. Brewer stated that this bill would turn off the “jobs magnet” that lures illegal immigrants to the state.
Business groups and advocacy organizations opposed the new proposal, saying it would add to the regulatory burden and cost for small businesses. Among groups submitting opposition testimony were the Nebraska Cattlemen, Nebraska Retail Federation, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, Nebraska Cooperative Council and Nebraska Bankers Association.