EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) — The Department of Homeland Security is getting ready to expand immigration detention space in Nebraska, and much like “Alligator Alcatraz” and the “Speedway Slammer,” the new facility will have a unique moniker that recognizes the region’s heritage: “Cornhusker Clink.”
DHS announced on Tuesday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement is partnering up with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services to add 280 beds at the Work Ethic Camp in McCook, Nebraska.
“The facility dubbed the ‘Cornhusker Clink’ will house criminal illegal aliens arrested by ICE,” DHS said.
The expansion is part of the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill, which provided funding for 80,000 new beds for ICE to utilize.
DHS recently opened “Alligator Alcatraz” in the Florida Everglades and the East Montana Detention Center at Fort Bliss outside El Paso.
The facility at Fort Bliss is meant to be the biggest in the nation. It officially opened on Sunday and is already holding 1,000 people, U.S. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, said Monday. It will eventually hold up to 5,000 people.
Sen. John Cornyn called that facility the “Lone Star Lockup” during his visit to El Paso last week.
In a statement, DHS Secretary Krisi Noem thanked Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen for his partnership.
“To help remove the worst of the worst out of our country,” Noem said. “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.”
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said his state stepping up is support of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
“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.
Pillen also announced that he ordered the Nebraska National Guard to provide administrative and logistical support to Nebraska-based ICE officials in enforcing immigration laws. Approximately 20 Army National Guard soldiers will participate.
Additionally, the Nebraska State Patrol agreed to help ICE arrest criminal immigrants.
Earlier this month, DHS announced ICE’s partnership with the state of Indiana to open the “Speedway Slammer” at the Miami Correctional Center in Miami County, Indiana. That facility will provide ICE with 1,000 additional beds.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said he is proud to work with Trump and Noem with this “innovative partnership.”
“Indiana is taking a comprehensive and collaborative approach to combating illegal immigration and will continue to lead the way among states,” Braun said.
Miami County is about 120 miles east of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
