Nebraska, Trump Administration Open “Cornhusker Clink” Detention Center

by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Washington D.C. Bureau Staff

WASHINGTON D.C. (Worthy News) – Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen announced Monday that the state is partnering with the Trump administration to open a new detention center for illegal immigrants in a remote corner of the state.

Dubbed the “Cornhusker Clink,” the facility will be housed at Nebraska’s Work Ethic Camp in McCook, a small town of about 7,000 near the Kansas border. The old prison work camp is being converted to hold immigrants awaiting deportation or other proceedings under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“This is about keeping Nebraskans–and Americans across our country–safe,” Pillen said, adding that Nebraska would work closely with federal officials to expand enforcement capacity.

National Guard and State Trooper Support

About 20 Nebraska Army National Guard soldiers will provide administrative and logistical assistance at the site. Pillen also announced that the Nebraska State Patrol will sign an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) allowing troopers to help arrest criminal illegal immigrants.

“Earlier this summer, on the streets of Omaha, Nebraska, law enforcement agents worked with ICE to arrest an MS-13 drug-trafficking kingpin and murderer,” Pillen said. “This hits close to home. Government’s most important job is to keep us safe.”

Part of a National Network

The Cornhusker Clink is the fourth detention facility opened under the Trump administration’s expanded deportation effort, following Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz,” Indiana’s “Speedway Slammer,” and Texas’s newly launched “Lone Star Lockup” at Fort Bliss.

According to the New York Post, the McCook facility will hold up to 280 illegal immigrants. Funding comes from Trump’s recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included resources to expand immigration enforcement infrastructure.

“Thanks to Gov. Pillen for his partnership to help remove the worst of the worst out of our country,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement. “If you are in America illegally, you could find yourself in Nebraska’s Cornhusker Clink.”

Deportation Push Expands

The opening comes as the administration ramps up its deportation program. DHS recently launched a recruitment drive for 10,000 new ICE officers, offering $50,000 sign-on bonuses. More than 100,000 applications have already been submitted.

ICE currently detains about 59,000 illegal immigrants, but its goal is to reach 100,000 beds nationwide. Since Trump’s declaration of a national emergency at the border, the Pentagon has also been tasked with providing military transport and logistical support for deportations.

DHS said that of the 300,000 illegal immigrants arrested so far under the Trump administration, 70 percent had prior criminal convictions or pending charges.

With Nebraska now joining the effort, Gov. Pillen pledged to continue working hand-in-hand with the administration.

“We are partnering with President Trump and his team to help Make America Safe Again,” he said.

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