**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

Jan. 21, 2015

Contact, Nicki Behmer
Legislative Aide, Sen. Nordquist
402.471.2721
nbehmer@leg.ne.gov

Nordquist Proposes Drivers Licenses for Immigrant Youth

Expresses willingness to work with administration
LINCOLNToday, state Sen. Jeremy Nordquist introduced legislation aimed to help
deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) recipients obtain drivers licenses in
Nebraska.
The issue in Nebraska today is we have young, talented people with DACA temporary
relief who are allowed to stay here and obtain work permits, but our state is refusing to
allow them to get a driver's license, Nordquist said. In Nebraska, it can be hard or
nearly impossible to get to work without a car. Why would we want to limit their
abilities to work and contribute to our economy?
DACA is a policy that was established in June of 2012, which allows individuals who
demonstrate that they meet certain guidelines to be exempt from deportation for a
period of two years, subject to renewal, and they also may be eligible for employment
authorization.
The guidelines include that the individuals: were under the age of 31 as of June 15,
2012; came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday; have continuously
resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time; were physically
present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making their request
for consideration of deferred action with USCIS; are currently in school, have graduated
or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general
education development certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast

Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and have not been convicted of a felony,
significant misdemeanor, three or more other misdemeanors and do not otherwise pose
a threat to national security or public safety.
In August 2012, Dave Heineman, who served as Nebraskas governor at that time,
announced his decision to deny driver's licenses to DACA recipients.
We hope to work with the current administration to reverse this policy decision and
bring Nebraska in line with all 49 other states, Nordquist said. As Nebraska taxpayers,
we have invested thousands of dollars in K-12 and higher education for each of the
nearly 2,300 DACA recipients. Without action on drivers licenses, these promising
individuals will take their education that we have invested in to one of the 49 other
states with less barriers to their success.
Dayana Lopez, of Omaha, is one of the 2,300 DACA recipients in Nebraska who is being
denied a drivers license.
For the majority of my life I have called Nebraska home, and it's a state that has
provided my family and myself with a lot of opportunities, Lopez said. But for me
personally, I don't understand why Nebraska continues to be the only state that does
not provide drivers licenses for DACA recipients.
Lopez said that Nebraska's policy not only limits her ability to drive, but that it has also
held her back from other opportunities that would have helped her to grow
professionally.
As a student and a worker, like so many other DACA recipients, it is difficult to depend
on others for a ride, Lopez said. This bill will not only allow me and the more than
2,300 DACA recipients to drive, but will help us achieve our dreams to work, study and
live in Nebraska.
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