Nebraska Follows Arizona: No Benefits for ‘Deferred’ Immigrants

Illegal immigrants sheltered from deportation under a new federal program still won’t be eligible for state services such as driver’s licenses in Nebraska, the state’s Republican governor said on Friday.

Gov. Dave Heineman, in making the announcement, joined Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer in challenging the federal government on immigration policy. Two days ago, Brewer issued an executive order barring illegal immigrants from getting state benefits.

“President Obama’s deferred action program to issue employment authorization documents to illegal immigrants does not make them legal citizens,” Heineman said in a statement.

“The State of Nebraska will continue its practice of not issuing driver’s licenses, welfare benefits or other public benefits to illegal immigrants unless specifically authorized by Nebraska statute,” he added.

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