Unfortunately, as this year's session grinds into motion, lawmakers have been offered a multitude of opportunities to expand the role of state government on this hot-button issue.

State senators should be wary of mission creep. Immigration should be handled at the federal level. Piecemeal efforts by states to handle immigration will be inefficient and have unintended consequences. ...

It's no secret why Nebraska politicians have succumbed to the urge to do something about the issue. Cracking down on illegal immigrants is an easy path to popularity.

Politicians report that listening sessions with constituents frequently turn to immigration issues. ...

The bevy of legislative proposals on immigration might have some merit, but the mere fact that getting tough on immigrants is popular at the moment is not enough to justify state and local officials' taking over jobs better left to the federal government.

Instead of focusing on expanding local efforts on the national immigration problem, Nebraska lawmakers, officials and voters ought to be demanding that Congress step up to its responsibilities.