Nebraska's Plan for Immigration Detention Center Faces Skepticism

Tue Sep 23 2025 10:43:20 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Governor Jim Pillen's proposal to transform a rural Nebraska prison into an immigration detention center has met with resistance from lawmakers and local residents amidst lingering uncertainties regarding costs and oversight.

Three weeks after Nebraska's Governor Jim Pillen announced that the McCook Work Ethic Camp would become a hub for immigration detainees, lawmakers and residents express growing skepticism towards the plan. Concerns about the facility's capacity and the lack of a formal agreement illuminate the community's apprehensions as the proposal moves forward without clear answers on staffing and funding.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A significant initiative by Nebraska's Governor Jim Pillen to convert the McCook Work Ethic Camp into an immigration detention center has raised concerns among lawmakers and local community members. Despite the announcement being made over three weeks ago, no formal agreements have been put into place, leaving many to question the feasibility and implications of this conversion.

Corrections officials have indicated that the facility is expected to accommodate hundreds of male detainees as early as next month, claiming it will undergo necessary modifications to provide adequate housing. However, during a recent briefing, lawmakers expressed frustration over the lack of detailed information about the financial implications, staffing needs, and oversight measures that will be implemented.

There were more unanswered questions than answered questions in terms of what they know, remarked state Sen. Wendy DeBoer, underlining the sense of uncertainty surrounding the proposal.

City officials in McCook were stunned by the announcement, which marked the prison’s designation as a Midwest hub for immigration detainees. Dubbed the “Cornhusker Clink,” the facility's moniker follows a trend of naming detention centers with catchy titles alongside facilities like Florida's “Alligator Alcatraz.”

Local newspaper publisher Mike O’Dell voiced the sentiment of community leaders, stating, City leaders were given absolutely no choice in the matter. Here, in a city that overwhelmingly supported Trump during the last election, opinions vary as residents have become familiar with the current inmates, who mostly serve low-level offenses and are integrated into community work programs.

Community members are anxious about where the incoming detainees will be placed and how they will impact the local environment, as the city of approximately 7,000 residents has developed a friendly rapport with the existing offenders.

The Work Ethic Camp, which opened in 2001, currently houses around 155 inmates who participate in programs aimed at aiding their transition back into society. While Nebraska's prison system faces significant overcrowding and staffing shortages, some state lawmakers have criticized Pillen for acting impulsively in this initiative.

During a recent meeting with the Judiciary Committee, lawmakers received vague estimates about the expected costs and scope of the conversion, with officials noting the intention for costs incurred to be reimbursed by the federal government. Pillen continues to assert his authority to make this transition, citing executive powers, yet the lack of clarity continues to fuel public concerns.

In a recent public hearing led by state Sen. Terrell McKinney, constituents voiced their opposition, emphasizing apprehensions about safety and the adequacy of the facility. As the situation evolves, many in Nebraska remain watchfully concerned about the future of their community and the implications of this detention center initiative.