LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts is urging senators to vote against a bill that would allow deferred-action immigrant youth to qualify professional and commercial licenses.

Ricketts sent an open letter to lawmakers Tuesday on the eve of a final vote in the Legislature.

Supporters of the bill say that the youths should have access to the licenses so they can work in professions such as teaching and nursing. The deferred action youths have received lawful status under a policy started by the Obama administration.

Ricketts says the bill undermines the rule of law and is unfair to immigrants, permanent residents and naturalized citizens who followed the legally established process. He says it would also grant licenses to asylum seekers and people with temporary protected status.

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