Minneapolis Immigration Chaos Spills Over into Nebraska

By Gordon HopkinsFederal authorities announced an end to the immigration crackdown in Minnesota Thursday morning, February 12, 2026. However, the impacts of what the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) deemed the “largest immigration enforcement operation ever” will likely continue to be felt across the country for a long time, including right here in Nebraska, in multiple ways. Minneapolis Detainees Held in NebraskaPresident Trump’s “border czar,” Tom Homan said on Thursday that “Operation Metro Surge” over the last two months has resulted in more than 4,000 arrests.That number is more than local detention centers can handle. FJN has been informed by some immigration lawyers that the “overflow” is being held in Nebraska. One of those lawyers, Nathan Dallon of Hatch and Dallon, LLC, in Omaha, said he believes at least 20 detainees are being held in the McCook Detention Center and at other Nebraska jails.As of press time, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have not responded to questions. Nebraska Judges Handling Minnesota CasesHundreds of petitions have been filed alleging illegal detention and requests for release. Due to the sheer number of cases, judges from other states, including Nebraska, are helping with the overloaded dockets. Nebraska LegislatureWhile all this is happening, the Nebraska legislature is considering multiple bills that could impact how ICE operates in Nebraska.ICE has come under fire for its policy of allowing officers to wear masks or face covering during operations. DHS has indicated the reason is to prevent doxing, which is when a person’s private information is posted publicly online. DHS says doxing puts ICE officers and their families at risk. Critics claim that allowing ICE officers to hide their identities hinders accountability and transparency. LB (Legislative Bill) 906 would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing facial masks or covering except for specific circumstances and requires officers to display proper identification such as name, badge number, and agency name or initials. The Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) has opposed this bill.LB881 would require any law enforcement agency that enters into an agreement with any other public agency to enforce immigration law to notify the governing body of the political subdivision at least 30 days prior to entering the agreement. The notice would then be placed on the agenda of the next regularly scheduled public meeting of the governing body.LB907 Requires law enforcement to have a judicial warrant to enter certain community facilities. This ensures the functions of these facilities and the community support they provide are not disrupted by warrantless immigration enforcement and safety of patrons. The following are defined as community safe spaces: Hospital or healthcare facilities; School, preschool, or postsecondary institution; Library; Designated disaster or emergency response site; Homeless shelter, rape crisis center, domestic violence shelter, family justice center, or human trafficking service provider Legal service provider; Community resource center Place of religious worship; Childcare facility

Energy and Eminent Domain Under Consideration in the Legislature

Ronelda Rae (Messmer) Novotny

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