Nebraska Appleseed says it has filed an appeal after a lawsuit challenging the use of McCook’s Work Ethic Camp for federal immigration detention was dismissed in March.
In an update shared this week, the organization said more than 18,300 Nebraskans from 386 communities signed a petition last fall opposing the conversion of the McCook facility into a federal immigration detention center.
The group said the petition called on Governor Jim Pillen to halt the project, with supporters stating, “This is NOT who we are.”
Nebraska Appleseed said it filed the lawsuit on behalf of McCook residents in an effort “to prevent this harmful expansion of ICE mass detention.”
Though the case was dismissed earlier this year, the organization said it is continuing its legal challenge through the appeals process.
“Nebraska law is clear: Neither Governor Pillen nor the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) Director have the unilateral authority to use McCook’s Work Ethic Camp for federal immigration detainment,” the organization stated.
Nebraska Appleseed said it looks forward to presenting “this separation of powers case on appeal” and thanked supporters for their continued advocacy.
The organization also argued that the nation’s immigration laws “have not been meaningfully updated in nearly 40 years,” saying many people remain unable to obtain stable immigration status despite efforts to navigate the system.
“We need policy change, NOT punishment,” the statement said.
Nebraska Appleseed closed its message by thanking supporters “for continuing to speak up to say that Nebraska is a state that welcomes our neighbors and values the contributions of local moms, dads, coworkers, neighbors, and friends.”