McCook Work Ethic Camp (Cornhusker Clink) — State prison converted to 300-bed ICE detention center
Overview
The Work Ethic Camp in McCook, Nebraska was converted from a low-security state prison into a federal immigration detention center in fall 2025, under a direct partnership between Governor Jim Pillen and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. Branded the “Cornhusker Clink”, it is the first state-operated ICE detention facility of its kind — run by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services rather than a private contractor or county sheriff.
Key Details
- Capacity: 300 beds (200 Phase 1, 100 Phase 2 expansion)
- Operator: Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS)
- Contract signed: September 30, 2025
- Contract period: Sept 30, 2025 – Sept 29, 2027 (with optional extensions)
- ICE certified: October 23, 2025
- First detainees received: Early November 2025
- Daily rate: $269.17 per detainee
- Monthly payment: $2,456,138.64
- State renovation cost: ~$6 million to meet ICE standards
- Net annual revenue to state: ~$14.25 million after costs
Timeline
- August 19, 2025: DHS announces partnership with Nebraska; Gov. Pillen announces “Cornhusker Clink” alongside Sec. Noem
- August 27, 2025: Nebraska lawmakers seek legislative hearing into plans
- September 30, 2025: Contract officially signed (183 pages)
- October 17, 2025: Contract published publicly
- October 23, 2025: ICE certifies facility
- October 28, 2025: NDCS outlines transfers of former WEC inmates to other facilities
- November 1, 2025: Facility begins accepting ICE detainees (~50-60 initially)
- Late November 2025: Phase 1 (200 beds) at full capacity
- December 2025: State lawmaker twice denied entry, calls it a law violation
- February 2026: ACLU Nebraska files first federal lawsuits on behalf of detainees
- February 10, 2026: Federal judge sides with McCook detainee in ACLU lawsuit (Carlos Roldan Chang)
Legal Challenges
ACLU Nebraska Lawsuits (February 2026)
Two federal lawsuits filed in U.S. District Court of Nebraska:
- Semere Gherezgiher (Eritrean) — ACLU argues indefinite detention after removal order violates due process
- Carlos Roldan Chang (Guatemalan) — Judge Susan Bazis ordered ICE to arrange bond hearing within 7 days
Both cases highlight problems with attorney access at the hybrid state-federal facility. The facility’s remote location (McCook, pop. ~7,500) makes legal representation extremely difficult.
Local Opposition Lawsuit
McCook residents filed a lawsuit to stop the conversion. A temporary injunction was denied by a Red Willow County District Court judge.
Legislative Access Denied
A Nebraska state lawmaker was twice denied entry to inspect the facility in December 2025, calling it a violation of state law.
Minnesota Transfer Hub
As of February 2026, the facility has become a receiving point for Minnesota ICE detainees. At least 7 cases involve detainees held at McCook who were arrested in Minnesota, creating cross-state legal representation challenges.
Why It Matters
This is a novel model: a state government directly operating ICE detention rather than a county jail IGSA or private contractor. It represents Governor Pillen’s signature alignment with Trump administration immigration policy and generates significant revenue for a budget-stressed state. The facility’s remote location, attorney access problems, and the state’s role as operator make it a uniquely challenging accountability case.