// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did the Cornhusker Clink say? It was a-maize-ing.
 Interactive map of Cornhusker Clink | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Status | Operational |
| Security class | Immigration detention center |
| Capacity | 280 |
| Opened | November 9, 2025 |
| Managed by | |
Cornhusker Clink is an immigration detention center in McCook, Nebraska, United States. The center was announced in August 2025 and officially opened in November. It was developed by the Department of Homeland Security and is operated by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.[1] The plan for the facility was to convert the McKook Work Ethic Camp, a rehabilitative minimum-security prison labor camp, to a detention center for the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with an expansion to 280 beds. Development came after other immigration detention centers, like Alligator Alcatraz in Florida, were opened by the Trump Administration.[2]
History
[edit]The McKook Work Ethic Camp was originally authorized in 1997 and opened in 2001.[3] Its aim was to rehabilitate prisoners before they left prison to enter wider society. Most prisoners were transferred to the Work Ethic Camp from other prisons in Nebraska near the ends of their sentences.[4]
A plan to transform the camp to an ICE detention facility was made with a three-year agreement between Nebraska governor Jim Pillen and the DHS with Kristi Noem on August 19, 2025.[5][6] The agreement included an expansion to house 300 inmates, up from 200 as of 2023, up to 365 days.[3][7] Pillen stated that he did not know if the prison would house women and children in addition to men. He also announced that the Nebraska National Guard would be ordered to provide logistical and administrative support to ICE agents based in Nebraska. To make room for the detention center, all 186 inmates that were at the Work Ethic Camp were moved to different facilities.[7]
Several lawsuits were filed in order to prevent the detention center's opening. Most notably, The attempt to create an injunction to block the opening of the facility was itself blocked by Judge Patrick Heng. The lawsuit delayed the opening of the facility, and Heng allowed for the facility to open in early November.[8] On November 3, Pillen stated that it was expected to become operational by the end of that week.[9] Three days later, Cornhusker Clink officially began operations.[10]
Reactions
[edit]Upon its announcement, the prison received criticism from many Nebraska lawmakers and the Nebraska ACLU.[11] Protestors sat outside of the governor's office on the afternoon after the announcement.[5] Pillen and the DHS also received criticism for using the word "Cornhusker" in the detention center's name, which is a moniker used by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for their sports teams. The University of Nebraska system issued a statement distancing themselves from the Cornhusker Clink, and that they did not give permission for the moniker to be used.[12] While the term "Cornhusker" is officially trademarked by the University of Nebraska system, they also recognize it as a common word and did not prevent the state from using it for the prison.[13]
References
[edit]- ↑ Timotija, Filip (August 19, 2025). "'Cornhusker Clink': DHS to open new ICE migrant detention facility in Nebraska". The Hill.
- ↑ Tedesco, Maria (August 19, 2025). "'Cornhusker Clink,' Trump admin to open new migrant detention center in Nebraska". WHAM-TV. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
- 1 2 "WORK ETHIC CAMP LEGISLATIVE REPORT" (PDF). Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. November 1, 2023.
- ↑ Bailey, Ruth (June 16, 2026). "Nebraska's 'Cornhusker Clink' divides community, sparks financial questions". KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- 1 2 Funk, Josh (August 19, 2025). "Nebraska announces plan for immigration detention center dubbed the 'Cornhusker Clink'". AP News. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
- ↑ McCann, Allison (December 7, 2025). "This Prison Rehabilitated Inmates. Until ICE Paid to Fill It With Immigrants". The New York Times.
- 1 2 "Nebraska announces plan for immigration detention center dubbed the 'Cornhusker Clink'". WYMT. August 20, 2025. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
- ↑ Attridge, Margaret (October 27, 2025). "Judge lets ICE turn Nebraska prison into 'Cornhusker Clink'". Courthouse News Service. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ↑ Dvorak, Gina (November 3, 2025). "Pillen says ICE inmates expected at McCook facility this week". WOWT. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ↑ Beck, -Margery A.; Beck, Associated Press Margery A.; Press, Associated (November 6, 2025). "Nebraska converts prison into federal immigration center, aims to fill it by Thanksgiving". PBS News. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
- ↑ "'Cornhusker Clink': Nebraska politicians, organizations react to Pillen announcement". WOWT. August 19, 2025. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
- ↑ Dunker, Chris (August 20, 2025). "University of Nebraska distances itself from 'Cornhusker Clink' detention center name". JournalStar.com. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ↑ Monroe, Waverle (August 20, 2025). "Cornhusker copyright? Getting the facts for the name of Nebraska's new ICE detention facility". KETV. Retrieved August 21, 2025.