Gov. Pillen Releases Executive Order Establishing Support for Federal Immigration Policy/Nebraska Appleseed Repsonds

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen signed an executive order establishing the Support for Federal Immigration Policy Implementation for the state of Nebraska. The document outlines actions to be undertaken by state agencies to effectuate the executive orders issued Jan. 20 by President Donald J. Trump.

“This document demonstrates Nebraska’s alignment with the new federal immigration policy and provides guidance to state agencies for carrying out provisions contained in the President’s recently issued executive orders,” said Gov. Pillen.

State agencies have no later than May 31 to ensure they have met the requirements of the Governor’s executive order. 

Nebraska Appleseed's Reaction
Governor Pillen’s Executive Order on Immigration Enforcement Will Harm Nebraska Communities This executive order is deeply contrary to Nebraska’s values and will harm moms, dads, and neighbors.

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Pillen signed an executive order that directs Nebraska agencies to comply with the federal government’s immigration enforcement orders. 

Nebraska Appleseed Executive Director Becky Gould issued the following statement in response:

“Nebraskans across the state have stood with our immigrant and refugee neighbors for years as all sectors of our communities have called for our immigration laws to be updated. This executive order focused on contributing to sweeping enforcement actions is deeply contrary to Nebraska’s values of dignity, fairness, respect, and justice.

As Nebraskans, we care about our neighbors. And we know there are Nebraska neighbors who are an important part of local communities stuck in immigration limbo because Congress hasn’t updated our immigration laws in nearly 40 years. These same neighbors have been raising families and contributing important work and taxes for many years. 

Now, we face possible harsh and unproductive enforcement of outdated immigration laws that will cause harm and instability for all of us. Harsh enforcement carried out against everyday Nebraskans who are moms, dads, and neighbors – and who are supporting local restaurants, health care, agriculture, construction, and other systems and services – harms our communities.

We do not want to see communities and families torn apart while waiting to work through long and complicated immigration processes, and we certainly do not want our state and local community safety resources to be used in this way. We call on our state leaders to stand up for our longtime community members and neighbors and to promote positive solutions that would truly support local communities across Nebraska.”