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Lincoln County official says federal 'sanctuary' list errors being corrected after statewide outreach
Summary
County officials told the board on June 2 that they have been working with state and federal officials to correct inaccurate entries on a Department of Homeland Security report that identified Nebraska counties as ‘‘sanctuary’’ jurisdictions; officials said the errors were under review with DHS and that Nebraska law enforcement cooperates with ICE on criminal matters.
An update to the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on June 2 described steps county leaders and state officials have taken to correct federal reporting that identified Nebraska counties as ‘‘sanctuary’’ jurisdictions for harboring criminal illegal aliens.
Why it matters: The listing on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website prompted concern that counties could be labeled as obstructing federal immigration enforcement, with potential downstream impacts on federal funding for programs that benefit rural counties. County officials said they worked with the governor’s office, the congressional delegation, the National Association of Counties and the Department of Homeland Security to correct inaccurate reporting and ensure federal records reflect Nebraska counties’ cooperation with ICE in criminal matters.
What the board heard
- County outreach and escalation: The board heard that over the prior 10 months county staff and elected officials repeatedly shared documentation and clarifications with state and federal contacts. The county reported progress after state staff secured a contact in the secretary’s office at DHS who agreed to receive county materials for review.
- Nature of the DHS listing and error sources: Commissioners said multiple sources had been used to compile the DHS list (including media and third-party organizations) and that county officials discovered inconsistencies — including misspellings and incorrect county entries — which contributed to the problem. County leadership described follow-up with the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice to ensure the federal detainer/dataset is corrected for Nebraska.
- Distinction between lawful immigration and criminal-detainer reporting: County officials emphasized the distinction between support for lawful immigration and actions to address violent or criminal offenders regardless of immigration status. The sheriff’s office and the board stressed that law-enforcement cooperation with ICE continues for criminal cases and that community members who are lawfully present or otherwise law-abiding should not fear routine interactions with local law enforcement.
- Potential funding impacts: The county cited concerns that being labeled as a sanctuary jurisdiction could risk federal funding streams that affect rural hospitals and housing programs; that risk was a driver for rapid outreach to state and federal officials.
Board response and next steps
Commissioners on the board praised the proactive effort and asked staff to continue to monitor federal reporting. County leaders said they would keep in contact with state and federal liaisons and report back when the DHS detainer report is formally corrected. No formal county action was required at the meeting; the item was an informational update.
