However, when immigration is concerned, nothing is ever simple. Or straightforward.

Accordingly, the chambers deserve praise for refusing to back down in their call for a pathway to legal status for immigrants unlawfully brought by their parents to this country as children or legally admitted under temporary protected status. Lincoln and Omaha joined more than 60 peer organizations in 26 states to implore Congress to pass the Dream and Promise Act of 2019.

As does Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon, one of just seven Republicans to vote for the bill Tuesday when it cleared the U.S. House. He said, despite its flaws, he “voted for it because we cannot continue to leave our DACA youth, as well as TPS and DED (Deferred Enforced Departure) recipients, in no man's land. Congress has to take responsibility to force the legislative process.”

Yes, Nebraska needs workers, with its aging population creating a decline in workforce that’s expected to hit within a decade. But, even more than Nebraskans need them, these immigrants need the state’s leaders and elected officials to fight on their behalf.

With this crunch looming, the chambers of commerce in Nebraska’s two largest cities are wisely appealing to keep a readily accessible population of workers in this state – bringing them out of purgatory and into permanence. And Bacon’s vote and subsequent statement illustrate that he understands the human toll this plight wreaks on those trapped within our current, broken system.

In Nebraska, the estimated 3,400 Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals (the so-called “Dreamers”) and an unknown total more with temporary protected status have lived their lives hanging on by a thread for years. At any minute, a court ruling could send them back to a country they haven’t seen in ages.

Setting aside unfounded fears about immigrants, data show these groups are productive and beneficial to our society.

New American Economy reports more than 93% of these immigrants were employed and that they paid roughly $5.5 billion in taxes in 2017. Mass deportations of at least 1.5 million people, meanwhile, would cost more than $60 billion upfront and at least $280 billion in lost economic growth, according to the chambers’ letter.

To see such a prominent alliance support Dreamers and TPS recipients when the rubber hits the road is encouraging. But changing the unacceptable status quo – which has languished untouched for far too long – can’t stop with two chambers of commerce and a congressman.

These young immigrants have made our state better and will continue to do so. They deserve the support of all Nebraskans in their ongoing fight to merely remain in the only country they know.