FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2015

CONTACT: Tyler Richard, (402) 476-8091 x104, trichard@aclunebraska.org

Lincoln, Neb _ ACLU of Nebraska Executive Director Danielle Conrad issued the following statement regarding today's state court trial to allow DACA recipients, known as DREAMers, to have driver's licenses. The ACLU filed the case on behalf of young immigrants permitted to work or go to school in the U.S. who have graduated from a Nebraska high school. A bill, LB 623, is pending in the Nebraska Legislature would reaffirm state law to provide licenses for DREAMers.

"Our clients and other DREAMers are hardworking young people who are lawfully present in our state. Providing the ability to travel to work and school would allow these young people to fully contribute to our communities and our economy. The ACLU of Nebraska will work on all fronts-in the courts and in the Legislature-to end this discrimination that embarrasses our state and hurts our talented young people. Nebraska should join with every other state in the country in providing driver's licenses to DREAMers. Ensuring access to drivers' licenses helps to keep our roadways safe for all Nebraskans. We are pleased that granting licenses to DREAMers has gained support from the business community, the Mayor of Omaha, and the 28 state senators who co-sponsored the legislative bill."

For more on the ACLU lawsuit:
https://www.aclunebraska.org/index.php/immigrants-rights/217-dreamers-drivers-license-case-moves-forward
https://www.aclunebraska.org/index.php/immigrants-rights/184-nebraska-district-court-permits-dreamers-drivers-licenses-lawsuit-to-proceed
https://www.aclunebraska.org/index.php/immigrants-rights/175-dreamers-sue-governor-heineman

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Maria Marquez Hernandez, who was brought to the U.S. by her parents and raised here as an undocumented child, was an honors student and doing well in college. When Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was introduced in 2012, Maria applied for it and received a Social Security number and a work authorization card. Even with this documentation, Maria was not allowed to receive a driver’s license because of a block put on DACA recipients by Governor Heineman. That’s when Hernandez decided to stand up and speak out.