In a move that has sparked fierce debate across Nebraska and beyond, state officials have announced that the Work Ethic Camp (WEC) in McCook will be transformed into a federal immigration detention center, now dubbed the "Cornhusker Clink." The decision, unveiled on August 19, 2025, is part of a broader initiative to support President Donald Trump’s renewed immigration enforcement efforts, drawing both strong support and sharp criticism from a wide range of Nebraskans.
Governor Jim Pillen, who led the announcement, described the shift as a necessary step to "keep Nebraskans – and Americans across our country – safe." According to KOLN, Pillen emphasized, "We want President Trump to know that Nebraska is supportive and grateful for his ongoing, critical work with Secretary Noem to arrest and deport criminal, illegal aliens." The facility will serve as a holding center for individuals awaiting deportation and other immigration proceedings, a plan that aligns Nebraska with new state-federal partnerships designed to ramp up enforcement nationwide.
The transformation of the WEC is significant. The site, previously home to 200 inmates, will soon accommodate up to 300 detainees classified as minimal to low risk, according to Nebraska Department of Correctional Services Director Rob Jeffreys. The 186 inmates currently housed at the camp will be relocated to other state correctional facilities in the coming weeks. Jeffreys noted that while an initial agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) covers 365 days, negotiations are already underway for a three-year extension. Under the arrangement, the facility will remain under state control but be federally funded for its new purpose.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised Nebraska’s cooperation, stating in a Department of Homeland Security news release that the 280 beds in McCook will help meet the federal government’s goal of adding 80,000 detention beds, funded through the so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill." Noem added a pointed 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 operational changes extend beyond just the facility itself. About 20 Nebraska National Guard soldiers will soon provide administrative, clerical, and logistical support to ICE officials stationed across the state. Their training is scheduled to begin the week of August 20, with deployments to Omaha, Grand Island, and North Platte anticipated after Labor Day. This support, as reported by KOLN, is expected to last through at least November 15, 2025, with the possibility of further extensions.
The Nebraska State Patrol is also set to play a more direct role in immigration enforcement. According to Col. Bryan Waugh, the patrol intends to sign a 287(g) agreement with ICE, authorizing state troopers to assist federal agents in arresting individuals in the country illegally who have committed crimes. One trooper or investigator from each of Nebraska’s six troops will undergo a week-long training with ICE, after which they’ll join roughly 300 other officers nationwide with similar responsibilities. Waugh believes the overall impact on the patrol’s primary duties will be minimal.
For the residents of McCook and Red Willow County, the announcement has brought a mix of uncertainty and concern. Mayor Linda Taylor, who met briefly with Governor Pillen and other state officials just days before the public announcement, acknowledged the lack of detailed information available to local leaders. "Because the meeting was brief, we didn’t receive a whole lot of details, and we were told more information will be shared in the days ahead," Taylor told reporters at a Tuesday news conference. She assured the community, "Our commitment is to approach this with respect, transparency, and care for the people of McCook and Red Willow County. We will keep you informed."
Not everyone is convinced by the state’s assurances. The Nebraska Democratic Party issued a scathing statement, with Chair Jane Kleeb denouncing the move as a "disgusting" political maneuver. "Nebraskans will hold Jim Pillen accountable by voting him out of office for the disgusting move of creating the ‘Cornhusker Clink,’" Kleeb declared. "Pillen and Trump have thrown due process out the window, all to appease their base. They promised to go after criminals and instead have locked up hardworking moms and dads who contribute their skills to our agricultural economy." Kleeb emphasized that the party's candidates would fight for due process and a humane approach to immigration.
Echoing those sentiments, NDP Communications Director José Flores, Jr. condemned what he called "the most shameless move by Governor Pillen and Nebraska Republicans." Flores warned that the community, already grappling with the closure of its local hospital, would now "have to deal with ICE agents instilling daily fear." He insisted, "The majority of Nebraskans do not support a concentration camp anywhere in our state. Democrats want safe borders, but unlike our Republican counterparts, support the humane and respectful detainment of immigrants that includes due process."
Local advocacy groups have also weighed in. Nebraska Appleseed, a nonprofit organization, released a statement opposing the detention center, asserting, "This is not who we are. Nebraska is a state that welcomes our neighbors and values the contributions of local moms, dads, coworkers, neighbors, and friends. Nebraskans do not want us to be known as a state that separates families and locks up and detains members of our communities. ...Nebraskans want policy change, not punishment."
Despite the controversy, supporters of the plan argue that the expanded facility and enhanced law enforcement cooperation are necessary for public safety and to address what they describe as a crisis at the nation’s borders. Governor Pillen, for his part, has made clear that Nebraska stands with the Trump administration’s immigration priorities, positioning the state as a willing partner in federal enforcement actions.
As the details of the facility’s operations continue to emerge, the people of McCook and the broader Nebraska community are left to grapple with the implications—both practical and moral—of becoming a focal point in the national immigration debate. The coming weeks promise more information, more debate, and, no doubt, more passionate voices on all sides of the issue.
For now, the transformation of the Work Ethic Camp into the "Cornhusker Clink" stands as a vivid symbol of the broader national struggle over immigration policy—one that touches on questions of law, community, and the very identity of Nebraska itself.
