LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts now faces the decision to uphold or withdraw his predecessor's policy of denying drivers licenses to deferred-action youth.
Senators voted 34-9 Thursday to allow driver's licenses for young people brought to the United States illegally as children, but allowed to stay under a federal program that gives them a Social Security number and work permit for two years.
Nebraska is the only state to withhold the licenses from the deferred-action youths.
Supporters say the youths need licenses to obtain and maintain jobs in industries that need them.
Ricketts has argued those who arrived in the country illegally shouldn't receive privileges intended for legal residents.
He has five days to take action on the measure.
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The bill is LB623
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