Nebraska employers could be sued for cost of illegal immigrants

Hiring illegal immigrants could put businesses on the hook for costs ranging from education to welfare, under a bill introduced in the Legislature. The bill (LG1170) brought Wednesday by Sen. Tom White of Omaha would provide for the recovery of costs for public education, health care and public assistance programs used by illegal immigrants and their families, spouses or other dependents. The measure applies to those who “knowingly or recklessly recruited or employed illegal immigrants.” Action could be brought by the attorney general, a political subdivision or a citizen.