U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is preparing to open a new 300-bed detention facility near the Work Ethic Camp in McCook, Red Willow County, Nebraska—potentially as early as next month. The camp, originally designed for low-level offenders, is located on 44 acres owned by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services and can currently house about 200 inmates.
This Nebraska facility is part of a broader national strategy in which ICE plans to open or expand 125 detention sites this year, boosting its capacity from 41,000 to over 107,000 beds nationwide. In addition to the McCook site, ICE is also looking to house detained migrants in county jails in Cass, Sarpy, and Washington Counties near Omaha.
Governor Jim Pillen is expected to announce more details this week. His office has emphasized Nebraska’s commitment to public safety and cooperation with federal partners, though officials say it is still too early to provide full specifics. Meanwhile, McCook Mayor Linda Taylor said she has received little information so far and is working to better understand the project.
As part of its rapid expansion, ICE has also explored options such as tent facilities, reopening inactive prisons, and partnering with local sheriffs and state governments to secure space for detainees.
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