A state senator examining how illegal immigration is affecting the state says the issue is more 'deep-seeded' than he first believed.
Senator Brad Ashford of Omaha is studying the issue's impact in South Sioux City, Lexington, Grand Island, Scottsbluff and North Platte.
The chairman of the judiciary committee says he has encountered a great angst among residents because of failures of the federal government to address concerns.
Ashford says he believes those feelings will only intensify as the economy worsens.
The study will take him to North Platte and Scottsbluff this week. He plans to release a report of his findings in December. A public hearing is set for Dec. 12 in Lincoln to discuss the report.
