One year after Pillen announced McCook ICE jail, protests continue, governor doubles down

By: Cindy Gonzalez

Outlets: Nebraska Examiner

Published: August 17, 2026

Words: 2,823

Last Updated: 51 minutes ago

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McCOOK — The sun was still rising as nearly 60 “mothers and others” boarded an Omaha bus and headed across the state to protest what goes on at the ICE detention facility in rural McCook.

Their nearly 10-hour round trip marked a year since Gov. Jim Pillen announced the deal he made with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to convert the state’s rehabilitative-focused Work Ethic Camp into a 300-bed jail for migrants. The bus passengers, …

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