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ACLU: Marriage checklist unfairly targets illegal immigrantsTell North Platte what you think
 

The ACLU might sue Lincoln County because the county makes it too hard for new immigrants to obtain a marriage license.

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Immigrants don’t have to be U.S. citizens to be married in Nebraska, the ACLU says.

ACLU Legal Director Amy Miller has sent a “second and final warning” to officials in Lincoln, Phelps and Platte counties that their identification requirements are too stringent for marriage license applicants.

Lincoln County requires a photo ID -- for example, a driver’s license or passport -- according to requirements posted on the Lincoln County government website. Also, the social security numbers of both the bride and groom are requested.

The ACLU says those requirements are outside the law and “squarely target new immigrants.”

Immigrants, even if they are in the county illegally, are entitled to marry, Miller said.

Lincoln County Clerk Becky Rossell said the county requirements have been in place as long as she can recall in 19 years of work in the county clerk’s office.

The Nebraska Association of County Officials is handling the ACLU complaint, Rossell said. A meeting is expected next week.

Dawson County, which initially was part of the ACLU complaint, is no longer on the ACLU complaint list. Dawson County previously required the couple to provide English-language translations of birth certificates. Officials there are reviewing policies in light of the complaint. And, the ACLU has closed its file on another county -- Hall County.

“Hall County...has made all necessary changes to ensure fair procedures,” Miller said. Hall County no longer requires a Social Security number and now accepts a foreign passport as identification to get married.


 
The North Platte Bulletin - Published 6/8/2009
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