Latest news with #CornhuskerClink
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
From swamps to fields: Trump's new Alligator Alcatraz is a Cornhusker Clink to detail migrants
Nebraska announced the Midwest will be home to the latest installment of President Donald Trump 's nationwide deportation depots. State officials shared plans on Tuesday for an immigrant detention center in the sparsely populated southwest corner of the Cornhusker State. Dubbed the 'Cornhusker Clink,' an ode to the state's nickname, the McCook, Nebraska, site will be the latest deportation-focused migrant detention center helping Trump detain illegal immigrants set to be deported. Sticking with the theme of naming migrant holding facilities with local flair, the Cornhusker Clink follows in the footsteps of Florida 's 'Alligator Alcatraz.' Another facility in Indiana opened up earlier this month called the 'Speedway Slammer,' named for the state's famous annual NASCAR race, the Indianapolis 500. Similar to the 'Slammer,' the 'Clink' will take an existing prison facility and use its extra space to house migrants slated for removal or under pending investigation. 'This is about keeping Nebraskans – and Americans across our country – safe,' Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said in a statement announcing the facility. The governor announced that the state and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) struck a deal to use the Nebraska facility, which can currently house up to 200 people but is expanding to accommodate up to 300. 'COMING SOON to Nebraska: Cornhusker Clink,' DHS Sec. Kristi Noem posted on X. 'We're announcing a new partnership with the state of Nebraska to expand detention bed space by 280 beds.' 'Thanks to Governor Pillen for his partnership to help remove the worst of the worst out of our country. If you are in America illegally, you could find yourself in Nebraska's Cornhusker Clink. Avoid arrest and self deport now using the CBP Home App,' Noem warned. The DHS X account later reposted Noem's statement with an AI-generated picture of husks of corn in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) hats in a prison-like cornfield. During a press conference announcing the project, Gov. Pillen noted that the McCook facility will be located near a regional airport, making it easy for federal authorities to travel to and from the 'Cornhusker Clink.' He was unsure whether the planned facility would house men, women or children. Pillen first heard that the federal government was interested in a Nebraska-based facility five days ago, last Friday. The governor also announced that the Nebraska National Guard would help with logistical and administrative support for the migrant detention facility. ICE detention centers are currently bursting at the seams due to Trump's deportation crackdown. As of June, ICE centers held over 56,000 migrants, the most since 2019. The push to open up detention centers comes a month after Congress approved Trump's sweeping, multi-trillion-dollar bill, dubbed the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill,' which contained billions for deportation enforcement. 'Alligator Alcatraz,' a Florida detention center opened in July and located in the middle of the Everglades, has been touted by the White House as the crown jewel of Trump's growing deportation machine. During its opening ceremony, Trump toured the facility while standing alongside a cast of Republican allies, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Secretary Noem. At the time, the president claimed the new detention center 'might be as good as the real Alcatraz.' In only a matter of weeks, Alligator Alcatraz was built to hold more than 3,000 migrant detainees. The facility features tents, trailers and other temporary living utilities needed to house the migrants. However, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Mary Williams issued a temporary restraining order in early August following testimony about the environmental impact of the facility. The judge will allow the Florida government and the Trump administration to continue using the facility to house detainees but will limit additional construction for the next two weeks.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Here's what we know about an immigration detention facility planned for southwest Nebraska
The Department of Homeland Security announced Aug. 19 that it will use a minimum-security prison in southwest Nebraska as an immigration detention facility. Nebraska's Work Ethic Camp – located in McCook, more than 200 miles west of Lincoln – will make up to 280 beds available to house "criminal illegal aliens" arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the department said in a news release. The Work Ethic Camp currently provides educational and vocational training for inmates. "COMING SOON to Nebraska: Cornhusker Clink," Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in the news release and a post on X. 'Thanks to Governor (Jim) Pillen for his partnership to help remove the worst of the worst out of our country." Related: ICE says it arrested an 'MS-13 kingpin' July 9 in the Omaha area. Here's what we know Gov. Jim Pillen said Nebraska would step up its support of President Donald Trump's "immigration enforcement initiatives." 'I am pleased that our facility and team in McCook can be tasked with helping our federal partners protect our homeland by housing criminal illegal aliens roaming our country's communities today," Pillen said in the news release. The people who are housed in the facility will be "minimal to low risk," and most will only be there for up to a few weeks, Pillen said Aug. 19 while speaking to reporters in McCook, according to a YouTube video posted by NTV News. The Nebraska State Patrol has also agreed to empower its troopers to work with ICE agents, and the Nebraska National Guard will provide "administrative and logistical support to Nebraska-based ICE officials," the news release says. Nebraska lawmakers, organizations respond to 'Cornhusker Clink' announcement The announcement prompted criticism from some Nebraska lawmakers and statewide organizations. State Sen. Terrell McKinney, who represents North Omaha, said in a Facebook post that he opposes the decision to establish an immigration detention facility in Nebraska, saying its the "wrong priority for our state." "Our prisons are already poorly managed, overcrowded and plagued by substandard living conditions," McKinney said. "No one should be subjected to such inhumane treatment." Similarly, State Sen. Megan Hunt, who represents part of Omaha, wrote on social media that in early August she requested records of communication between state officials and federal immigration authorities about plans to open such a facility in Nebraska. "I am still working to uncover that information so that the people can have transparency about what's happening in their name and with their money," she said. "We have seen what ICE has done and is willing to do in this country, and it is more imperative than ever that we protect our neighbors, frustrate ICE's efforts whenever possible and refuse to cooperate." Related: ICE detains workers at Omaha meat plant, drawing hundreds of protesters: What we know She encouraged Nebraska residents to become involved with immigrant rights organizations and took issue with the use of the term "Cornhusker" to refer to the facility, saying the University of Nebraska should denounce the use of the name. Nebraska Appleseed, an organization that says it fights for "justice and opportunity for all Nebraskans," criticized the announcement in a statement. 'This is not who we are," the organization's statement says. "Nebraska is a state that welcomes our neighbors and values the contributions of local moms, dads, coworkers, neighbors, and friends. Nebraskans do not want us to be known as a state that separates families and locks up and detains members of our communities." The organization said it would continue to advocate for "positive immigration laws that fix our long-outdated immigration system and support local communities." This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: What we know about immigration detention facility planned for Nebraska Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
DHS plans 'Cornhusker Clink' detention center as Trump expands immigration enforcement
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is expanding detention centers with a new facility in southwest Nebraska and nicknaming it the "Cornhusker Clink." As part of President Donald Trump's push to add thousands of new beds nationwide for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), just like "Alligator Alcatraz" and "Speedway Slammer," the facility increases ICE detention space for illegal aliens awaiting deportation or in deportation proceedings in the region. At the same time, Cornhusker Clink's name recognizes the region's heritage and is located around 200 miles from the state capital, Lincoln. Ice Deportation Efforts Could Be Derailed If Congress Doesn't Act Soon With ICE arrests down and data showing removals are up, the new venue combines 200 beds with the 280 already in place at the Work Ethic Camp in McCook, which opened in 2001 as a prison. Acknowledging the facility as part of an agreement between Nebraska and the federal government, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem warned that illegal aliens in the region could find themselves at Cornhusker Clink. Read On The Fox News App "To help remove the worst of the worst out of our country, if you are in America illegally, you could find yourself in Nebraska's Cornhusker Clink," she said. "Avoid arrest and self-deport now using the CBP Home App." Trump Admin Slams Aclu For Comparing Ice Center To Japanese Internment Camp: 'Deranged And Lazy' Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" provided funding for 80,000 new beds for ICE to use, which has contributed to an increase in facilities across the country. "Alligator Alcatraz," one of the better-known facilities, was opened in the Florida Everglades and can house up to 3,000 migrants, while the East Montana Detention Center at Fort Bliss outside El Paso, which opened on Sunday, will be able to hold up to 5,000. Florida Building 'Alligator Alcatraz' Where Ice Detainees Face Nature's Own Security System "Speedway Slammer" in Indiana will also hold up to 1,000 migrants. Back in Nebraska, the National Guard is also helping ICE officials enforce immigration laws, involving 20 or so soldiers. In a statement supporting Trump's immigration crackdown, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said he was "pleased that our facility and team in McCook can be tasked with helping our federal partners protect our homeland by housing criminal illegal aliens roaming our country's communities today."Original article source: DHS plans 'Cornhusker Clink' detention center as Trump expands immigration enforcement Solve the daily Crossword
Fox News
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Fox News
DHS plans 'Cornhusker Clink' detention center as Trump expands immigration enforcement
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is expanding detention centers with a new facility in southwest Nebraska and nicknaming it the "Cornhusker Clink." As part of President Donald Trump's push to add thousands of new beds nationwide for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), just like "Alligator Alcatraz" and "Speedway Slammer," the facility increases ICE detention space for illegal aliens awaiting deportation or in deportation proceedings in the region. At the same time, Cornhusker Clink's name recognizes the region's heritage and is located around 200 miles from the state capital, Lincoln. With ICE arrests down and data showing removals are up, the new venue combines 200 beds with the 280 already in place at the Work Ethic Camp in McCook, which opened in 2001 as a prison. Acknowledging the facility as part of an agreement between Nebraska and the federal government, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem warned that illegal aliens in the region could find themselves at Cornhusker Clink. "To help remove the worst of the worst out of our country, if you are in America illegally, you could find yourself in Nebraska's Cornhusker Clink," she said. "Avoid arrest and self-deport now using the CBP Home App." Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" provided funding for 80,000 new beds for ICE to use, which has contributed to an increase in facilities across the country. "Alligator Alcatraz," one of the better-known facilities, was opened in the Florida Everglades and can house up to 3,000 migrants, while the East Montana Detention Center at Fort Bliss outside El Paso, which opened on Sunday, will be able to hold up to 5,000. "Speedway Slammer" in Indiana will also hold up to 1,000 migrants. Back in Nebraska, the National Guard is also helping ICE officials enforce immigration laws, involving 20 or so soldiers. In a statement supporting Trump's immigration crackdown, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said he was "pleased that our facility and team in McCook can be tasked with helping our federal partners protect our homeland by housing criminal illegal aliens roaming our country's communities today."
