Gov. Pillen won’t be part of legislative hearing on McCook ICE facility

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Gov. Jim Pillen’s administration will not participate in a hearing on the proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on Friday.

The Urban Affairs Committee is set to hold an interim study about alleged building code issues at the Work Ethic Camp in McCook.

Pillen announced the partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security last month to turn the facility into an immigrant detention center.

SEE ALSO: ‘Cornhusker Clink’: Nebraska’s Work Ethic Camp will become ICE detention center

Committee jurisdiction issues are the reason for the administration’s absence, according to a letter to Sen. Terrell McKinney, chair of Urban Affairs.

The letter said the Urban Affairs Committee lacks legal jurisdiction and oversight authority to examine these issues.

“The Jail Standards Board … was created by legislation originating from the Judiciary Committee, meaning the Judiciary Committee maintains oversight responsibilities over conformance to minimum standards relating to the operation and physical structure of criminal detention facilities,” the letter says.

Additionally, the letter highlights the accreditation of the work ethic camp.

“Each of NDCS’ facilities, including the Work Ethic Camp, are accredited by and meet the occupancy standards established by the American Correctional Association (ACA).”

The letter concludes by addressing concerns with overcrowding, saying it’s wrong to think immigration detainees will trigger a correctional system overcrowding emergency.

“The current average daily population for all NDCS facilities is approximately 115% of system-wide operational capacity,” the letter says. “The addition of 300 criminal illegal aliens to the system will not put NDCS facilities anywhere near the 140% occupational capacity threshold needed to trigger an emergency declaration.”

The letter also said there are enough beds in the corrections system to handle more inmates.

“It is also important to note that systemwide, our correctional facilities have 5,929 beds with 5,730 inmates, meaning we have flexibility within our current correctional facilities to accommodate this new mission.”

Pillen’s office said even if overcrowding were a problem, the Judiciary Committee would have jurisdiction.

“That is why the Executive Branch has taken the appropriate action and has properly informed members of the Judiciary committee on plans to reconfigure the Work Ethic Camp,” the letter says.