LINCOLN- Two weeks after approving an amendment to allow DACA recipients to serve in law enforcement in Nebraska, state lawmakers did an about-face on Monday. On a 25-11 vote, state senators removed the amendment from Legislative Bill 894 — an amendment that had been approved on March 4 on a 36-8 vote. Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner, who introduced LB 894 said new information had come forward recently, raising questions about whether a DACA recipient could serve as a law enforcement officer.

One issue, Ibach said, is whether a DACA recipient could carry a firearm. Another, she said, was what would happen to what they paid toward retirement if, in the future, DACA was rescinded. U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., a former state senator, had also raised questions about the amendment. He expressed concern in a press release about whether a DACA recipient — who is lawfully present in the U.S. but not a citizen — would be considered a credible witness in court.

North Platte Sen. Mike Jacobson said his constituents, including a former border agent, sent several emails opposing the DACA idea. Supporters of the original amendment, including Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, questioned why an amendment that passed with the support of 36 of 49 senators needed to be rescinded. She pointed to three other states that currently allow DACA recipients to serve.

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