Next hearing on unauthorized takeover of Work Ethic Camp scheduled for October 24 The suit asserts the Governor has exceeded his authority under state law

LINCOLN, NE – This afternoon, Red Willow County District Judge Patrick Heng heard initial arguments in the lawsuit filed by Nebraska Appleseed on behalf of former State Senator DiAnna Schimek and thirteen residents of McCook, Nebraska, to prevent Governor Jim Pillen’s unauthorized attempt to repurpose Nebraska’s Work Ethic Camp into a large-scale ICE detainment camp. 

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Friday, October 24 at 9:00 AM.

Robert McEwen, Nebraska Appleseed’s Legal Director, issued the following statement:

“We are pleased that the court recognizes the urgency of this matter and are hopeful that the legal question underscoring this case will be resolved quickly. Once again, Nebraska state law is clear: The Governor does not have the unilateral authority to change the purpose of any public building.”