MCCOOK, Neb. (KSNB) – Unmarked, out-of-state vehicles and multiple law enforcement officers spotted in downtown McCook over the weekend led to speculation on social media, and McCook Police later confirmed the activity involved U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The McCook Gazette reported that Police Chief Kevin Hodgson confirmed Sunday afternoon the vehicles belonged to ICE, which was conducting immigration operations in McCook. ICE Public Affairs Officer Oliver Schuster told the Gazette that three people were detained during the operation.
The Gazette also reported an unnamed source identified Diana Morales Irigoyen as one of the people detained, and that she is being held in North Platte.
Hodgson said that the McCook Police Department was not involved in the operation, but said the department was notified ahead of time in case there were questions about what was happening downtown.
Red Willow County Sheriff’s Office statement
In a statement posted by the Red Willow County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday, officials said they are committed to cooperating with ICE “in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws” and within the scope of their legal authority and available resources.
The sheriff’s office added it does not currently have the funding or personnel to participate in the federal 287(g) Program, which allows certain local agencies to enter agreements to perform some immigration enforcement functions under ICE supervision. The office said that not entering a 287(g) agreement “should not be interpreted as a lack of support for lawful immigration enforcement.”
The statement said the sheriff’s office will continue to work collaboratively with ICE and other law enforcement partners “whenever appropriate and authorized by law,” while emphasizing a commitment to protecting Red Willow County residents and upholding the Constitution.
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