Nebraska Unveils Controversial ‘Cornhusker Clink’ Immigration Detention Center

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen announced plans on Tuesday for a new immigration detention center in McCook, sparking immediate protests and raising concerns about transparency. Dubbed the ‘Cornhusker Clink,’ the facility is intended to house individuals awaiting deportation and other immigration proceedings, aligning with the Trump administration’s efforts to expand its deportation infrastructure.

The facility, an existing minimum-security prison work camp, will initially accommodate 200 people, with plans to expand to 300. Governor Pillen stated the move is ‘about keeping Nebraskans – and Americans across our country – safe,’ and confirmed that the Nebraska National Guard will provide administrative and logistical support, while the Nebraska State Patrol will assist federal immigration agents with arrests.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised the partnership, noting that the agreement was made possible by Mr. Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill,’ which allocated significant funding for ICE expansion. Noem also issued a stern warning: ‘If you are in America illegally, you could find yourself in Nebraska’s Cornhusker Clink. Avoid arrest and self deport now using the CBP Home App.’

The announcement quickly drew criticism. State Senator Megan Hunt, an independent, condemned the lack of transparency, citing unfulfilled requests for records. Protesters gathered outside the governor’s office in Lincoln, holding signs that read ‘ICE=Gestapo’ and ‘No Nazi Nebraska,’ expressing concerns about human rights and questioning the state’s priorities given other pressing issues like child hunger and homelessness.

The ‘Cornhusker Clink’ is part of a broader national trend under the Trump administration to increase immigration detention capacity. Other controversial facilities recently opened or planned include Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ and ‘Deportation Depot,’ a new center in Tennessee, and Indiana’s proposed ‘Speedway Slammer.’ These expansions have consistently faced legal challenges and public outcry over conditions and due process concerns.

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