Official Statement from the Nebraska Commission on Latino-Americans:
In light of the recent announcement to establish a new immigration detention facility in Nebraska, the Nebraska Commission on Latino-Americans acknowledges with concern the message this decision sends, both within our state and to the broader national community.
Nebraska has long been sustained by the hard work of immigrants, particularly in the farming, meatpacking, and food production sectors. These workers are not strangers to our state, they are its backbone. Latino and immigrant workers contribute over $1.6 billion in wages annually in Nebraska. Immigrants commit fewer crimes than U.S.-born citizens, according to multiple national and state-level studies, and consistently demonstrate strong community values, family unity, and economic contribution. These facts matter, especially in a climate where narratives too often ignore the truth.
As Executive Director of the Nebraska Commission on Latino-Americans, I am deeply concerned by the message this decision sends to communities who have always given more than they’ve received. Immigrants make up nearly 70% of Nebraska’s meatpacking workforce, and the Latino labor force accounts for over 11% of the state’s total workforce. They pay taxes, raise families, open businesses, and fill essential roles in Nebraska’s economy, often in the most demanding conditions.
But their contributions extend far beyond economics. These are people whose daily lives are defined by resilience, sacrifice, and an unshakable desire to build something better for their children. Their stories are not of fear, but of hope. Children of immigrants are thriving in Nebraska’s schools, entering our universities, and becoming future leaders, teachers, engineers, and public servants.
We also recognize that this is a time to open our hearts and minds. Many of our immigrant neighbors are here not to take, but to give — to work honestly, to live peacefully, and to build lives anchored in love and contribution. They are parents walking their kids to school, young people dreaming big, and elders who have spent decades enriching the very communities they are now asked to fear. We must not let fear dictate policy. We must not let stereotypes cloud our shared humanity.
Rather than deepen division, we believe Nebraska has an opportunity to lead with compassion, facts, and courage. We respectfully encourage our elected officials and decision-makers to reflect deeply on the long-term impact of this approach, and to prioritize solutions that honor human dignity and social cohesion.
It is profoundly disappointing to consider that Nebraska may increasingly be viewed as a “Midwest hub of incarceration,” such an association risks diminishing the values of openness and justice that many Nebraskans hold dear.
The Nebraska Commission on Latino-Americans remains steadfast in our mission to serve, represent, and advocate for all Latino communities across the state. We believe in a Nebraska that is stronger when we choose understanding over fear, and unity over division.
The Nebraska Commission on Latino-Americans will continue to stand firmly with our communities, elevating their voices and honoring the dignity of all.
María Arriaga Executive Director Nebraska Commission on Latino-Americans
