LB 298, a bill on the Legislature’s agenda today, would extend Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TSP) and asylum seekers. This common-sense Legislation would support Nebraska’s labor force by extending critical unemployment benefits to work-authorized immigrants, who are a vital portion of Nebraska’s working population. The pandemic has made clear how necessary a strong UI system is to both help Nebraska families get by and support our state’s economy.
Attracting and retaining a strong workforce is one of the biggest challenges that Nebraska faces. According to Blueprint Nebraska, the state recorded one of the lowest growth rates (0.5%) of 25-29 year olds from 2013-2018, placing it 39th out of the 50 states.[1] This sluggish growth prompted Blueprint to prioritize “retain[ing] workforce talent” and “promot[ing] diversity and inclusion to retain and attract talent” in order to “make Nebraska the most welcoming state in the Midwest.”[2] LB 298 would move us toward that goal by creating additional support for our state’s workforce.
In addition to providing much-needed support for Nebraskans struggling with the economic impact of the pandemic, LB 298 would build on existing initiatives to make Nebraska a more welcoming and diverse state, such as the New Americans Task Force created by the City of Lincoln with support from the Lincoln Chamber.[3]
A survey from the Task Force found that immigrants and refugees in Nebraska experience barriers that “prevent them from self-sufficiency and economic mobility,” with 52% of respondents indicating they cannot always pay their monthly expenses, and 80% of those without full-time employment indicating they would like a full time job in the future.[4] Although the study included a larger population than just work-authorized immigrants, these responses indicate more effort is needed to support immigrant communities and reach Blueprint’s goal of making Nebraska the most welcoming state in the Midwest.
Supporting Nebraska’s workforce and creating an environment welcoming for workers of all backgrounds is of paramount importance, as recognized by the Blueprint Report. LB 298 would be a positive step to put money directly in the hands of Nebraska’s workers and build on existing diversity initiatives.