Lincoln, NE — After a Republican colleague blocked a public hearing proposal from the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee, State Sen. Terrell McKinney, the lone Democrat to chair a Nebraska legislative committee, has scheduled his own public hearing to discuss Gov. Jim Pillen’s controversial plan to convert the McCook Work Ethic Camp into a jail for deported migrants.
The Sept. 12 hearing, called by McKinney, who chairs the Urban Affairs Committee, will allow the public to raise concerns and ask questions regarding the plan. This comes after State Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, rejected the idea of holding a public hearing on the matter.
“I think it’s premature to have a hearing right now,” Bosn said. “We can direct questions to the governor and the Attorney General’s office instead.”
McKinney, along with 13 other progressive lawmakers, had previously called for a hearing to discuss the plan, which critics argue could harm Nebraska communities by accelerating the deportation of migrants as part of a larger ICE strategy.
Repurposing McCook Facility: Safety Concerns
The McCook Work Ethic Camp, currently housing 186 people as of August 19, has a capacity of 125 beds, but the proposed changes would see the number of detainees increase to 300 under the agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
McKinney raised serious concerns about the building’s capacity and safety standards, stating:
“The 300-bed facility would be at 240% of the existing operational capacity. This could pose significant safety and security risks.”
According to McKinney’s letter, Nebraska law mandates that state buildings and correctional facilities must adhere to International Building Code standards, including calculating maximum occupancy. The proposed changes, McKinney argues, would violate these standards, especially given the facility’s overcrowding.
Governor’s Team Invited to Discuss Transparency
McKinney told the Nebraska Examiner that he has invited Pillen’s administration to attend the hearing and provide transparent answers to the public. He emphasized the need for openness on a plan that could affect public safety:
“We want Nebraskans to be fully informed and for the administration to explain how this plan will ensure safety and security at the facility,” McKinney said.
Despite the criticism, Pillen’s spokesperson Laura Strimple indicated that the Department of Correctional Services has plans to modify the facility to accommodate the increased number of detainees. These changes include repurposing existing multipurpose spaces for additional beds, which McKinney insists must still meet proper building and safety codes.
“We will ensure all modifications meet building and safety codes,” said Dayne Urbanovsky, a spokesperson for the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.
The Political Debate: More Questions Raised
In response to McKinney’s efforts, Strimple stated that the Judiciary Committee should handle the issue, pointing out that it has “principal subject-matter jurisdiction” over the Department of Correctional Services. She suggested McKinney’s actions could be motivated by political agendas.
“Nebraskans expect much from their elected representatives and deserve more than politically motivated media sideshows,” Strimple said in a statement.
