Nebraska Is for Communities, Not Cages
September 03rd, 2025
Hello Friends and Neighbors,
As I am sure many of you have heard by now, based on the emails and calls my office is getting, McCook is the proposed site for a new ICE detention facility. This project is moving forward behind closed doors, with virtually no transparency or accountability from Governor Ricketts’ administration, and many of my fellow state senators.
At the heart of this fight is our shared commitment to safety, fairness, and responsible government. This project undermines all three. Instead of strengthening public safety, this move risks making our communities less secure, wasting taxpayer dollars, and opening the door to violations of basic constitutional rights.
Right now, Nebraska faces a serious budget shortfall. Our State Patrol and prison system are already struggling with staffing shortages and overcrowding. Adding an unnecessary federal detention project to that list is reckless. It puts front-line workers in harm’s way and creates new costs that Nebraskans will ultimately be asked to pay.
Beyond dollars and cents, this project strikes at our values. Nebraskans want real policy solutions, not more prisons. The Governor made this announcement without input from McCook’s mayor or community leaders, the very people most affected. Instead of pursuing meaningful immigration reform (which hasn’t been updated in nearly four decades), the state is choosing to lock up our neighbors under outdated laws. Outdated policies are the problem, not people.
We all know our immigration system is broken. Leaders in faith communities, agriculture, and business agree that what we need is thoughtful, comprehensive reform, not political theater that undermines our communities and our values. Nebraskans know who we are. We do not want to be defined as a state that separates children from parents, jails hard-working neighbors, or turns local law enforcement into federal immigration agents.
I am committed to pressing for transparency and accountability here. I’ve filed open records requests, pushed for legislative hearings, and joined with colleagues to demand accountability. We are monitoring every development, preparing for the upcoming legislative session, and considering all legal avenues. But I cannot do this alone. Your voices, your persistence, and your willingness to hold elected officials accountable matter now more than ever.
In solidarity,
Meg
FOIA Request
On August 6th, I filed a Freedom of Information Act public records request to find out more information about the proposed ICE facility.
You can read the full request below. Nebraskans have a right to know what their government is planning and how it will affect them. It's that simple.
Originally, my office was informed we could expect a response from the Governor's office on August 26th. A little after 6 pm on the 26th, we received an update that we should get a response by September 6th. I will keep you all updated when I hear back.
Request for an Interim Hearing
Several of my colleagues and I urged the Judiciary Committee to hold an interim hearing on this issue.
Read the full letter below. Such hearings are a normal, responsible step when significant questions of cost, authority, and community impact arise. They ensure the public has a chance to see what’s being done in their name and with their money.
After considering the request for less than 24 hours, Senator Bosn responded with the below letter.
It’s disappointing but not surprising that Senator Bosn has chosen to deny our request for a public hearing. The Governor’s unilateral decision to hand over a state prison to ICE raises profound constitutional, legal, fiscal, and public safety concerns. These are not questions that can be answered behind closed doors or in private conversations. They demand a public record and transparency for Nebraskans.
As Chair of the Judiciary Committee, Senator Bosn has the authority to schedule a hearing at any time. She does not need permission from the Governor or the executive branch to do her job. By refusing to hold a hearing, she is shielding the administration from public accountability instead of standing with Nebraskans who deserve answers.
If the Judiciary won’t act, my colleagues and I will continue to press for accountability through every avenue available: public forums, media, community meetings, and legal review. Nebraskans deserve oversight, not excuses, not delay tactics, and not playing dumb.
Call to Action
There are many ways to make your voice heard, support your neighbors, and hold elected officials accountable for decisions that threaten our communities.
Write Governor Pillen & your state senator
- Tell them you oppose giving away state institutions to the federal government and establishing ICE detention camps in Nebraska.
- Personal letters and emails have a real impact!
- Contact Governor Pillen
- Find your state senator + senator phone numbers
Sign Nebraska Appleseed's Petition
- Join the 18,000+ Nebraskans and sign today to tell Governor Pillen that Nebraskans say NO to opening a cruel and harmful ICE detainment camp anywhere in our state.
Write letters to the editor
- Amplify your voice in your local paper. Share your values, explain the risks this facility poses to families and communities, and demand accountability from elected officials.
- Helpful tips: Make it personal and factual, focus on values & solutions, include a call to action, and submit to a handful of papers!
Give what you can to community organizations on the ground
If you are planning a peaceful protest
- Know your rights and connect with organizers to make your voice count safely.
- ACLU - Know Your Rights
- CIRA - Know Your Rights
If you are an immigrant family or ally
- Safety matters first. Learn about your rights and explore safety planning resources to protect yourself and your family while engaging in advocacy.
- CIRA Emergency Planning Guide for Parents with Uncertain Immigration Futures: English or Spanish
The proposed ICE facility in McCook threatens our values and our communities, and the administration is doing everything it can to keep the details hidden.
I refuse to back down, but I need your help to keep up the pressure. Every donation ensures we can continue demanding answers, amplifying the voices of Nebraskans, and pushing for accountability.
Nebraska deserves transparency, not backroom deals with ICE.
District 8 Events
Benson Neighborhood Assoc. Meeting
- Held on the last Monday in August and October
- Aug. 25th at 7pm at Benson Baptist Church (6319 Maple St.)
Dundee-Memorial Park Assoc. Meeting
- Brownell Talbot School (400 N. Happy Hollow Blvd.) at 7 pm
- Held quarterly on the 2nd Monday of the month
Joslyn Castle Neighborhood Assoc. Meeting
- Held monthly on the 2nd Monday
- Social time 6:30 pm, Meeting from 7-8 pm at Cali Commons (40th & California St.)
Benson Creative District Working Committee Meeting
- Saturday, Oct. 25th from 5:30-6:30 pm at the Benson Library
- Get involved with the Benson Creative District by joining a working committee! Whatever your interests are, there's a committee for you. Attend the next monthly committee meeting to learn more about getting involved!
- First Friday of the month in Benson Creative District from 5pm-2am
- View a map of participating locations here
- Enjoy a night filled with art, live performances/music, local vendors, food, & community.
- Saturday, Oct. 11th at 5pm
- Partnered with Omaha Witch Walk on Sunday, Oct. 12th
- Make-up artist for $5, costume contest, and a theme of black/white/grey
Our Office in the News
Nebraska Examiner - Nebraska lawmakers seek legislative hearing into Nebraska-ICE detention center plans
1011 Now - Nebraska senators demand public hearing on McCook detention facility
Nebraska TV - NE senators demand hearing on ICE detainees at McCook facility
KETV Omaha - 'Nebraskans deserve answers': State senators request hearing for ICE detention facility in McCook
Nebraska Examiner - What’s in a name? Fed moniker for Nebraska immigration jail draws ire and defense
NewsWeek - 'Cornhusker Clink' Becomes Latest Trump Immigration Detention Center
Des Moines Register - Here's what we know about an immigration detention facility planned for southwest Nebraska
Connect with Me
- Please follow me on Facebook, X, YouTube, or Instagram to stay up to date with my latest activities.
- I invite you to visit my office (room 2102) in Lincoln at the Nebraska State Capitol. Call my office to coordinate. (402) 471-2722
- You can watch the Legislature live on NET TV or find NET's live stream here.
