Nebraska Announces ‘Cornhusker Clink’ Immigration Detention Center, Amid Expansion of Deportation Infrastructure Nationwide

Nebraska unveiled plans for an immigration detention center in a remote, rural region of the state on Tuesday, as the federal government expedites the development of infrastructure necessary for heightened deportation activities under President Donald Trump’s administration.

The facility will be named “Cornhusker Clink,” a moniker derived from Nebraska’s nickname, the Cornhusker State, and an antiquated term for prison. This nomenclature follows similar naming conventions adopted for facilities such as the Florida-based “Alligator Alcatraz” and Indiana’s “Speedway Slammer.”

Republican Governor Jim Pillen and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have agreed to utilize an existing minimum security prison work camp in McCook, a sparsely populated city of approximately 7,000 residents nestled amid the expansive prairies between Denver and Omaha. The center will serve as a Midwestern hub for detainees from multiple states.

“Ensuring the safety of Nebraskans, and Americans across our nation, is the primary objective,” Pillen stated in a press release.

The facility can currently accommodate 200 people, with plans to expand capacity to 300. McCook lies approximately 210 miles west of Lincoln, the state capital.

“Individuals residing in the United States illegally risk incarceration at Nebraska’s Cornhusker Clink. Take action by self-deporting now via the CBP Home App,” Noem announced in a separate statement.

Noem’s office shared an image on social media depicting corn ears donning U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement caps and standing before a prison fence.

During a press conference in McCook, the governor clarified that the center will leverage an existing facility and its proximity to a regional airport as key advantages. He disclosed uncertainty regarding whether the center would house female detainees or accommodate children, and stated he became aware of the federal government’s interest in the facility on Friday.

In addition, Pillen announced that the Nebraska National Guard will offer administrative and logistical assistance to local immigration agents, with roughly 20 soldiers involved. Furthermore, six troopers from the Nebraska State Patrol will aid federal immigration agents in making arrests.

The Trump administration has been expanding detention facilities nationwide to accommodate the rising number of immigrants apprehended and accused of residing in the country illegally. ICE centers held over 56,000 immigrants in June – the highest figure since 2019.

Recent and planned facilities include a remote detention center in Florida’s Everglades, known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” which opened last month and is designed to house up to 3,000 detainees in temporary tent structures. The facility has faced legal challenges by attorneys alleging due process violations, such as limited access to legal representation, restricted access to immigration courts, and poor living conditions. Critics have attempted to halt further construction and operations until compliance with federal environmental laws is achieved.

Last week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced plans to open a second facility, dubbed “Deportation Depot,” at a state prison in north Florida, with an expected capacity of 1,300 immigration beds that could potentially be expanded to 2,000.

Additionally, officials in the rural Tennessee town of Mason approved agreements last week to convert a former prison into an immigration detention facility managed by a private company, despite strong opposition from residents and activists during a contentious public meeting.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced plans for a 1,000-bed detention center in Indiana, set to be named “Speedway Slammer,” which has prompted backlash in the Midwestern state hosting the Indianapolis 500 auto race.

Rob Jeffreys, corrections director, confirmed that the 186 inmates currently housed at the McCook work camp will be relocated to other state facilities over the course of the next 45 to 60 days. The repurposed facility will be operated by the state but funded by the federal government and is already equipped and accredited for prisoner housing, eliminating the need for temporary accommodations such as tents.

State Senator Megan Hunt, an independent, voiced concerns about a lack of transparency surrounding plans for the detention center, citing her unfulfilled request for emails and other records regarding the development of the facility. She urged support for local immigrant rights groups and noted that legislative action would not be possible until next year, contingent on sufficient lawmaker backing.

A handful of protesters gathered outside the governor’s office on Tuesday afternoon, displaying signs bearing messages like “No Nazi Nebraska” and “ICE = Gestapo.” Maghie Miller-Jenkins of Lincoln expressed opposition to the ICE detention center, stating that the state should prioritize addressing issues such as child hunger and homelessness instead. “This state has numerous problems it could focus on for the benefit of its constituents,” she said.