CAMPAIGN UPDATE: Where is Dave on Immigration?

I am against illegal immigration of any kind, and I believe any person who has entered the state illegally, if it can be proven that they are illegal, should be deported back to his or her home country. And giving special perks to those who enter the country illegally is something I'm not in favor of.

This whole issue pushes Nebraska into a no-win situation. First, because it is almost impossible to determine who is illegal and who is not, given the sophistication of fake identification. Second, with regard to educational responsibilities, we are bound by law to educate all children in the state, from Kindergarten through 12th grade, legal or illegal. There is no way out of that.

During last Sunday's debate the question was brought up whether the child of an illegal immigrant in Nebraska should be allowed to pay in-state tuition rates. The candidates were asked if we would sign Legislative Bill 239, legislation that would allow a student who is a child of a known "illegal" immigrant the right of "in-state" resident tuition. I answered the question yes, because I was thinking that we were talking about children who were born here and raised here, children who are considered citizens of the United States, or children who have been here most of their lifetimes. Upon further review of LB 239, I have found that it specifies the following: the student would be allowed to attend our universities if the following was accomplished: 1) the student must have lived in Nebraska for three years with a parent or guardian; 2) he or she must have graduated from a Nebraska high school or received a GED; 3) he or she must have a current application for citizenship pending.

The truth is that our universities today do not ask whether a student applying to college is from a family that is illegal. So all children who apply to our universities have access to classes, as long as they can show they have Nebraska high school transcripts or a GED. Because of this, there might not be any reason for LB 239 in Nebraska. There is also a good chance that this bill would run afoul of federal immigration laws.

Initially, I said I would sign the legislation, because I was concerned that we would be creating another situation in which we keep an ethnic group poor and uneducated. After reviewing the bill and soliciting information from my supporters, I don't think we should deviate from our current procedures until the Federal Government can do a better job of defining who is legal and who isn't and develop some form of accurate identification.

The real battle cannot be fought within the borders of our state. The battle over illegal immigration can be fought only on the federal level. If we don't want illegal immigrants here, the Federal Government needs to find ways to enforce our nation's federal immigration laws and close the border!

Any new legislation addressing this issue needs to do a better job of outlining the rights of children who are born in this country versus those who come illegally. We are going to need some legislation that finalizes this issue. I'd like to see the legislation even stricter than LB 239, so we don't have people moving here for only four years, then getting their children into our universities, paying in-state tuition as legal citizens and residents of the state would.

Having said that, I personally believe we need to be mindful of the fact that we should not punish the children for the sins of the parents. Punishing children who find themselves in our society through no fault of their own is not the American way. However, I'm only willing to review the cases of those born here or those who have been here for 10 to 15 years, where the parents are gainfully employed and have been upstanding citizens. At least these immigrants have shown the commitment to stay in Nebraska and integrate into our society.

Here's something else to keep in mind. If these children do end up living in Nebraska for the rest of their lives, right or wrong, we need to ask ourselves whether it is better for Nebraska that they are highly educated (as long as they pay for it), so they can earn higher incomes and pay back into our system, or is it better to keep them at low income levels and run the risk that they might be on government assistance when they are older?

This is a tough subject that requires maintaining the rule of law, while dealing with the practical reality of living with this huge group of people in our country for many decades to come.

If you have further thoughts about this issue, I hope you will not hesitate to share them with me. With careful research and courage to face the difficult realities of this situation, we will sort it out. You can count on me to be very strong in my resolve to not allow people committed to illegal activity to get a free lunch from the rest of us who are legal.

Although this issue is very important to Nebraska's future, I remind you that the thrust of my campaign is controlling state spending, reforming state government, cutting taxes, building up Nebraska's economy, ending abortion and strengthening families. If we cannot accomplish these important tasks in our near future, Nebraska will not have much to offer anyone.

Thanks, as always, for your support-and your many messages of encouragement after the debates. We are making a huge impression on segments of our voting public that previously barely knew my name. I will remain the true conservative in this race, and as determined as ever to keep working to make Nebraska the "Jewel of the Midwest."

Sincerely,

David Nabity
Republican Candidate for Governor