Nebraska officials have announced plans to establish an immigration detention center at the Work Ethic Camp in McCook, named the “Cornhusker Clink,” as part of a partnership with the Trump administration to expand deportation infrastructure.
The facility, located in a remote city of about 7,000 in southwest Nebraska, will repurpose an existing minimum-security prison to house up to 280 detainees awaiting deportation or immigration proceedings.
The initiative aligns with federal efforts to increase detention capacity, with ICE centers holding over 56,000 immigrants in June 2025, the highest since 2019.
Gov. Jim Pillen emphasized the facility’s role in national security, stating, “This is about keeping Nebraskans – and Americans across our country – safe.”
The McCook facility will transition from housing 186 state inmates, who will be relocated within 45 to 60 days, to accommodating low- to medium-risk detainees.
The state will operate the center, funded by the federal government, with Nebraska National Guard providing logistical support and six state troopers assisting ICE with arrests.
Corrections Director Rob Jeffreys noted the facility’s accreditation and readiness, ensuring detainees will not be housed in temporary structures.
Red Willow County Sheriff Kevin Darling confirmed staff preparedness, stating, “The reason they're going to the Work Ethic Camp in the first place is because there are processes that they have in place.”
The announcement sparked mixed responses, with about six protesters gathering outside the governor’s office in Lincoln, displaying signs like “No Nazi Nebraska” and “ICE = Gestapo.”
State Sen. Megan Hunt criticized the lack of transparency, urging support for immigrant rights groups and community protection.
In McCook, resident Jason Hilker expressed concerns about limited community involvement, noting, “The growth and the profit margin from it seems to be offsetting the state's budget deficits instead of profiting our community.”
Conversely, State Sen. Dave Murman supported the initiative, stating, “I’m glad to support the governor and especially the president,” highlighting the need to secure borders.
The “Cornhusker Clink” follows similar facilities like Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” and “Deportation Depot,” reflecting a broader push for immigration enforcement.