LINCOLN, Neb. – Today, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen issued an executive order that directs state agencies and departments to “review their rules, policies, and practices and to ensure they support federal immigration laws and directives to the fullest extent permitted by law.”
The order, which was promised Monday in a message celebrating the “strength” of President Trump’s immigration efforts, includes specific directives for the Nebraska State Patrol and prison system, and says all agencies with law enforcement or incarceration authority must “consider” formal partnerships to assist with immigration enforcement, including through 287(g) agreements.
Pillen’s order references several of President Trump’s executive orders that include language referring to undocumented immigrants as part of an “invasion.” The governor’s action follows days of media coverage on Nebraskans’ fears at a coming crackdown and what it could mean for communities and families across the state.
ACLU of Nebraska Executive Director Mindy Rush Chipman made this statement on today’s executive order:
“The governor’s support for the current administration’s extreme immigration agenda is disgraceful,” Rush Chipman said. “As a reminder, we are talking about an administration that has moved to deny birthright citizenship to babies and disregard due process, both of which are unconstitutional actions that the ACLU is already challenging in the courts. It is vital that everyone covered under this executive order understands that it does not override their legal obligations, including providing fair and nondiscriminatory treatment. If officials cross legal lines to follow this order, we will see them in court."
