Nebraska unveils blueprint for a new immigration detention facility, nicknamed the 'Cornhusker Detention Center'
In a move aligned with former President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement efforts, Nebraska has converted a minimum-security state prison work camp into a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility, dubbed the "Cornhusker Clink."
The facility, located in McCook, Nebraska, is designed to hold up to 200 detainees initially, with room to expand to 300. The state-run facility will be federally funded under a one-year contract with potential extensions.
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the conversion in August 2025. About 186 current inmates will be rehoused at different Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) facilities over the next 45 to 60 days to make room for the detainees.
The partnership between Nebraska and ICE is part of a series of new state-federal partnerships aimed at enhancing public safety and supporting federal immigration enforcement in the Midwest. The facility is the third state-run immigration detention center commissioned federally and has been modeled somewhat after similar detention centers in other states.
To support the federal immigration enforcement efforts, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services has made an agreement with ICE to house detainees for 365 days, and a three-year agreement is currently being negotiated.
In addition, the Nebraska State Patrol intends to sign an agreement with ICE, giving state troopers authority to help federal agents arrest people in the country illegally who have committed crimes. One trooper or investigator from each of Nebraska's six troops will undergo a week of training with ICE officials. These troopers will work with ICE in a secondary capacity to assist with apprehensions, joining roughly 300 other law enforcement officers with similar training.
The Work Ethic Camp, the converted facility, will remain under NDCS control despite ICE housing detainees there. Approximately 20 Nebraska National Guard soldiers will provide administrative, clerical, and logistical support to Nebraska-based ICE officials.
The nonprofit Nebraska Appleseed, an advocate for social justice, issued a response to Pillen's announcement, stating that Nebraska is a state that welcomes neighbors and values the contributions of local residents. The organisation expressed concern about the policy of separating families and detaining members of communities.
As the "Cornhusker Clink" begins operations, it represents a significant expansion of immigration detention capacity in the United States, reflecting the broader strategy for immigration enforcement expansion under the Trump administration.
[1] Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen announces partnership with ICE to convert state prison work camp into federal immigration detention center. (2025, August 1). Retrieved from https://www.governor.nebraska.gov/news/nebraska-governor-jim-pillen-announces-partnership-with-ice-to-convert-state-prison-work-camp-into-federal-immigration-detention-center
[2] Nebraska Department of Correctional Services signs agreement with ICE to house immigration detainees for 365 days. (2025, August 2). Retrieved from https://www.ndcs.nebraska.gov/news/nebraska-department-of-correctional-services-signs-agreement-with-ice-to-house-immigration-detainees-for-365-days
[3] Nebraska State Patrol to sign agreement with ICE, giving state troopers authority to help federal agents arrest people in the country illegally who have committed crimes. (2025, August 3). Retrieved from https://www.nebraskastatepatrol.gov/news/nebraska-state-patrol-to-sign-agreement-with-ice-giving-state-troopers-authority-to-help-federal-agents-arrest-people-in-the-country-illegally-who-have-committed-crimes
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