Nebraska announced Tuesday it will build a new immigration detention center in the state’s southwest corner, part of the Trump administration’s push to expand deportation infrastructure.
Dubbed the “Cornhusker Clink,” the name follows other themed facilities like Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” and Indiana’s “Speedway Slammer.” The McCook facility, a repurposed minimum-security prison work camp, will initially house 200 detainees, with plans to expand to 300.
Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz,” opened in July 2025, holds up to 3,000 detainees in temporary tent structures and has faced legal challenges over due process and poor conditions. Similarly, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a second facility, the “Deportation Depot,” in north Florida, set to accommodate 1,300 to 2,000 immigration beds. Indiana’s “Speedway Slammer,” planned for 1,000 detainees, has sparked backlash in the state known for the Indianapolis 500.
These facilities reflect a broader effort to increase detention capacity, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding over 56,000 detainees in June 2025, the highest since 2019. Nebraska’s Governor Jim Pillen stated the center aims to enhance safety, while critics like State Senator Megan Hunt argue it targets communities unfairly.
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