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

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A prison in southwest Nebraska will be used as an immigration detention facility.

Gov. Jim Pillen announced Tuesday that the Work Ethic Camp in McCook will be used to house those awaiting deportation and other immigration proceedings.

Under the agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, it will be called the “Cornhusker Clink.”

“This is about keeping Nebraskans – and Americans across our country – safe,” Pillen said in a press release. “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.”

Nebraska Corrections Director Rob Jeffreys said the facility in McCook provides a “central Midwest hub for ICE.”

He said surrounding states will be able to use the detention center as well.

The 186 inmates currently in the Work Ethic Camp will be moved to other prisons across the state.

The capacity is around 200, but officials plan to expand the facility to hold up to 300 detainees.

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The announcement was one of three immigration actions Pillen took on Tuesday.

The governor also ordered the Nebraska National Guard to provide administrative and logistical support to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.

About 20 soldiers will be assigned to that mission, he said.

And Pillen plans to sign an agreement authorizing the Nebraska State Patrol to help ICE arrest immigrants in the country illegally.

Six troopers will be trained by ICE and will help in those efforts.

POLL: Do you support using McCook prison as an ICE facility?

The “Cornhusker Clink” will be federally funded, but the facility will be staffed by the corrections workers already in McCook.

“It’s a community down there that knows how to provide services to folks who have been incarcerated,” Jeffreys said.

Pillen, speaking in McCook, was adamant that the plan is in the best interest of Nebraskans.

“These people are threats to our community, and we need to have them removed,” he said.

Protesters gathered outside of the State Capitol building.

Jaci Vetro said she is angry with this decision.

“This will not stop with immigrants, and it will affect you one way or another,” she said. “We care still, and we won’t give up.”