OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Gov. Jim Pillen's announcement on Tuesday that U.S. authorities are converting a low-security facility in southern Nebraska into an ICE detention center has raised numerous questions about the decision-making process, its effects on the state, and what lies ahead.
Here's what has been revealed about "Cornhusker Clink" up to now:
Who is responsible for managing the unauthorized immigrant detention facility in McCook?
On Tuesday, the governor's office announced that an agreement had been reached with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to utilize the current minimum-security facility known as theWork Ethic Camp (WEC).
While Pillen commended the efforts ofDirector Rob Jeffreys of the Nebraska Department of Correctional ServicesDuring his news conference at the McCook airport on Tuesday — referring to him as a "highly sought-after" corrections official, especially due to his emphasis on recidivism — the facility will not be under the state's control. WEC will be managed by federal agencies, although the existing staff will remain, as stated by the governor.
"All individuals will keep performing their duties," Pillen stated on Tuesday.
Furthermore, 20 members of the Nebraska National Guard will be stationed to help with administrative tasks, and they are scheduled to begin their training next week.
Contracts and agreements were established swiftly for the initial 365 days, Pillen noted, with contract renewals already underway.
What part will the Nebraska State Police have in assisting ICE?
A new collaboration has been formed between ICE and the Nebraska State Patrol. Certain officers may soon be granted the power to detect and deport undocumented individuals.
The Nebraska State Patrol is collaborating with ICE under the 287(g) program.
It originated in the 1990s, but according to AP reports, it has been brought back, increased, and funded during the Trump administration.
The Nebraska State Patrol is now the most recent law enforcement group to enter the competition.
"Six state patrol officers will collaborate with ICE agents," stated Governor Jim Pillen on Tuesday.
Since the Trump administration came into power, Governor Pillen has endorsed its policies.
Currently, the Nebraska State Patrol has submitted a letter of intent to the Department of Homeland Security to begin the 287(g) procedure.
A patrol representative stated that officers will "work with ICE as a secondary responsibility."
Sheriff Aaron Hanson of Douglas County backs enhanced immigration enforcement and the newly established detention center.
He mentions, nevertheless, that his office has no intentions of participating in the actions taken by the state patrol.
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to ensuring the safety of our community and chasing down criminals who threaten it," Hanson stated. "If these criminals have uncertain immigration status, we will collaborate with our partners at ICE to apprehend them and possibly remove them from our country.
He mentions that the sheriff's department will only provide help with criminal cases.
Nevertheless, he is seeking for the Douglas County Commissioners to sign a contract with ICE, allowing Douglas County Corrections to serve as a detention center for individuals deemed low-risk.
He claims it will allow these offenders to remain near their families and attorneys, rather than being relocated to another area of the state.
"Besides missing out on millions and millions of dollars that could be reinvested into the community and directed toward public safety, it would also be more compassionate for individuals going through those immigration detention procedures," Hansen stated.
How many prisoners will be held at WEC?
Authorities stated that the low-security facility is currently able to accommodate 200 prisoners, but there are intentions to implement changes that would increase the maximum number of individuals it can hold to 300.
When will ICE start accommodating undocumented immigrants at WEC?
The facility requires some improvements before it can accommodate federal detainees. Besides creating space for 100 more prisoners, officials mentioned that there are roof repairs needed and additional security fencing that must be put in place.
However, the typical timeframe is thought to be approximately 45 to 60 days, meaning residents of Nebraska will likely find out more information about this soon.
What will become of the prisoners currently located at WEC?
A total of 186 prisoners will be moved to new locationsNebraska Department of Corrections (NDCS) facilities across the state.
The state operates eight additional facilities of this kind; according to officials from First Alert 6, five of these are potential options for the inmates. However, it remains uncertain which is the most suitable arrangement for those currently located at the McCook facility.
At Tuesday's press briefing, Pillen stated that Nebraska's prisons are not facing an overpopulation issue and mentioned that the state's correctional facilities have "flexibility" in their operational capabilities.
"The people who want to complain about overcrowding and everything else don't understand what's happening. That's all," he stated during Tuesday's press conference.
On Wednesday, First Alert 6 inquired about theInspector of the Nebraska correctional systemRegarding the current populations of these facilities, it was found that they all exceed operational capacity.
Which individuals will be housed at the McCook detention facility?
Although Pillen mentioned federal agents targeting "criminals" and "terrorists" — and expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for labeling Mexican gangs as terrorist groups — the governor confirmed that only inmates from low- and minimum-security facilities — not those convicted of murder — would be sent to the location north of McCook.
He also specified that the individuals held there would be criminals who had been arrested for offenses other than merely entering the country without authorization. He anticipated that many would be dealing with charges related to drug and human trafficking.
The governor was unsure on Tuesday about the demographics — including men, women, or children — of ICE detainees set to be housed at WEC.
Why was McCook chosen instead of other Nebraska cities close to regional airports?
The governor stated that the WEC's nearness to an airport made it a suitable site for an ICE detention facility — somethingNoem had mentionedwas significant in choosing the next "Alligator Alcatraz."
Although Nebraska has a number of smaller airports, onlyMcCook Ben Nelson Regional AirportHas an established NDCS facility nearby. WEC's location outside the city also made it a favorable option, as Pillen and the mayor both emphasized the city's safety would be a key concern. The probable travel path using current roads that avoid the city is approximately 8 miles.
"McCook will be remembered for making a significant impact in fixing some truly foolish actions that have occurred in this country over the past four years," the governor stated on Tuesday during his press conference at the airport.
Will the ICE detention facility benefit the local or state economy?
The governor mentioned he believes there is a "capitalistic opportunity for fuel" due to the numerous flights traveling in and out of the airport, particularly since not all of the inmates will arrive by air.
Undocumented individuals detained in nearby states are anticipated to travel to the McCook center, creating chances for logistics and transport, according to Pillen.
Why is it referred to as "Cornhusker Clink"?
That's the name given to the facility by the Department of Homeland Security. They called the WEC location asCornhusker Clink in a press statementdeclaring the choice of McCook as the nation's upcoming ICE detention facility on Tuesday.
Why was there not more awareness regarding the choice to establish an ICE detention facility in Nebraska?
The governor stated that the plans to erect the next "Alligator Alcatraz" in Nebraska were finalized rapidly, as he informed reporters in apress conference at the McCook Airport on Tuesdaythat he requested federal allies to take a step back in the process, but Trump "acts quickly; he doesn't linger, and that's what we're doing."
Pillen mentioned that the plans became clear after a field agent visited the McCook location on Friday afternoon alongside Director Jeffreys, head of Nebraska's correctional services, who called it a "fantastic" decision that "was really going to work." Pillen added that he then spoke with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and felt "really really excited about it."
He then reached out to McCook Mayor Linda Taylor "as soon as it was appropriate, when it seemed there might be a possibility" theWork Ethic Camp (WEC)would serve as the second federal immigration detention facility.
Earlier during the press conference, Pillen mentioned making multiple trips to Washington, D.C. — "more times than I can recall since the start of the year" — where he built connections with various Cabinet officials.
We're on the team. We're on the team," he stated on Tuesday, repeating several times throughout his answers his backing of the president's border security policies and actions, mentioning that Nebraska will "answer the call.
Pillen stated that securing our borders, especially the southern one, has been an ongoing effort "for a long time." He mentioned that as this process developed, he raised his hand for Nebraska, comparing it to deploying the Nebraska National Guard to Texas to help with border security and during flood situations.
Whispers that Nebraska could be among the top contenders for the next "Alligator Alcatraz" werereported earlier this monthHowever, Pillen's office stayed quiet when First Alert 6 contacted them to verify the information, stating, "It is too early to comment on possible detention operations. Gov. Pillen will share details when the time is right." During his press conference on Tuesday, he mentioned that revealing the decision before all details were finalized would have been "foolish," while also noting they had been working on it for a long time.
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Johan Marin, a reporter, contributed to this article.
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