Nebraska 'Guest Worker Permit' Bill Draws Mixed Reactions

State senator's proposal aims to create legal framework for undocumented immigrants, but faces opposition from labor commissioner and some lawmakers.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A Nebraska bill that would establish a 'guest worker permit' program for undocumented immigrants drew support from labor unions and immigrant advocates during a public hearing, but faced pushback from the state's labor commissioner and some state senators. The bill's sponsor, State Sen. Dunixi Guereca, said the program would help address Nebraska's workforce shortages, but opponents raised concerns about the bill's constitutionality and whether it would be an effective solution.

Why it matters

The debate over the 'guest worker permit' bill highlights the ongoing challenges around immigration policy in the U.S., particularly the need to balance workforce demands with concerns about federal authority and the rights of undocumented immigrants. The outcome of this bill could set a precedent for how states approach this issue in the future.

The details

LB 879, the 'Guest Worker Permit Act' introduced by State Sen. Dunixi Guereca, would establish a legal framework for undocumented immigrants to work in Nebraska, provided the federal government grants approval. The bill would require undocumented applicants to pay fees ranging from $50 to $2,500 depending on their immigration status. State officials estimate Nebraska's undocumented population at between 50,000 and 60,000 people. A fiscal analysis projects the program could generate around $37 million in revenue in the first year, but also comes with $5.18 million in implementation costs.

  • The public hearing on LB 879 was held on Monday, February 10, 2026.
  • Nebraska's labor commissioner, Katie Thurber, testified in opposition to the bill during the public hearing.

The players

Dunixi Guereca

A state senator from Omaha who introduced LB 879, the 'Guest Worker Permit Act'.

Katie Thurber

Nebraska's labor commissioner, who testified in opposition to LB 879, citing constitutional, financial and logistical concerns.

Jim Pillen

The governor of Nebraska, who has been a champion of President Donald Trump's mass deportation strategy and has characterized Nebraska as a 'border state' affected by security problems at the nation's southern border.

Jon Nebel

A representative of the Nebraska State Council of Electrical Workers and the Nebraska Building and Construction Trades Council, who spoke in favor of LB 879.

Kathleen Kauth

The chair of the Nebraska Legislature's Business and Labor Committee, which held the public hearing on LB 879.

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What they’re saying

“We need workers. Period. You can not dispute that — it's stagnating the Nebraska economy. If the native population isn't bringing more workers, we need immigration.”

— Dunixi Guereca, State Senator (americanagnetwork.com)

“Immigration is and must remain a federal matter. It requires comprehensive solutions from Congress and federal agencies, not piecemeal state level experiments that have been proven ineffective.”

— Katie Thurber, Nebraska Labor Commissioner (americanagnetwork.com)

“The program could legitimize thousands of people already working in Nebraska and stop the abuse of an underground workforce.”

— Jon Nebel, Representative, Nebraska State Council of Electrical Workers and Nebraska Building and Construction Trades Council (americanagnetwork.com)

What’s next

The Nebraska Legislature's Business and Labor Committee took no immediate action on whether to forward LB 879 to the full Legislature for debate.

The takeaway

The debate over Nebraska's 'guest worker permit' bill highlights the ongoing tensions around immigration policy in the U.S., as states try to balance workforce needs with concerns about federal authority and the rights of undocumented immigrants. The outcome of this bill could influence how other states approach similar proposals in the future.