Pillen vows to help with Trump’s mass deportations; LPD says it won’t carry out raids

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Lincoln Police Department on Tuesday addressed potential mass deportation plans under President Donald Trump.

Trump’s administration has promised to deport people who are in the country illegally, with raids potentially starting this week.

“All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came,” Trump said in his inaugural address.

Cities across the country are preparing immigrants for potential raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Those raids are expected to begin in Chicago.

Here in Nebraska, law enforcement agencies in areas with large migrant populations are addressing community members.

“We understand this uncertainty creates concerns and fear,” Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert said. “Enforcing immigration law is the responsibility of federal law enforcement agencies, not the Omaha Police Department.”

Stothert joined Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer in an informational video, explaining what people in the city should know.

“We assure you that Omaha Police officers do not and will not stop individuals to check their legal status,” Schmaderer said. “This is not the mission or the duty of the Omaha Police Department.”

Lincoln Police are also assuring people that there is no reason to fear local law enforcement and that you can still call for help without being questioned about your immigration status.

“LPD services are available to all who need assistance or want to report a crime,” Chief Michon Morrow said in a statement. “We are dedicated to making sure everyone feels safe and treated with respect when they interact with LPD officers.”

But Gov. Jim Pillen made it clear that Nebraska will support Trump’s orders.

And he is vowing to issue an executive order this week.

He said in a statement that he will be directing state agencies to “cooperate to the full extent of the law with federal efforts to enforce our immigration laws and affirmatively support the apprehension of criminal aliens.”