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Nebraska Voices objects to ICE deal
McCOOK, Neb. - At Monday morning’s meeting of the Red Willow County Board of Commissioners, representatives of the humanitarian and civil-liberties group Nebraska Voices addressed the board regarding proposed memorandums of understanding between counties and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Speaking on behalf of Nebraska Voices and the American Civil Liberties Union, Andrew Graff centered his remarks on two primary arguments against Red Willow County entering into ICE 287(g) agreements.
First, Graff argued the agreements went far beyond simple database access and could involve the sheriff’s office directly in immigration enforcement operations, including ICE raids. He pointed specifically to the “task force model” agreement, saying it contemplated local law enforcement participating in immigration raids alongside ICE, which he believed exceeded the justification previously discussed by county officials.
Graff also emphasized the potential legal and financial liability involved. He argued that if federal grant funding disappeared, the county could be left paying substantial training, overtime and operational costs. He further warned that participation in immigration enforcement could expose the county to lawsuits tied to alleged civil-rights violations, potentially costing taxpayers millions of dollars.
Second, Graff argued that cooperation with ICE could create fear within immigrant communities and damage public safety. He said both legal and undocumented immigrants could become reluctant to report crimes or cooperate with police if they perceived the sheriff’s office as working closely with federal immigration authorities. Graff referenced statements from the International Association of Chiefs of Police and former police officials arguing that fear of immigration consequences discourages witnesses and victims from coming forward, which in turn benefits criminals. He also argued that immigrant families might leave communities with active 287(g) agreements, negatively affecting population retention.
Board Chairman Ted Gans, himself a Nebraska State Trooper, acknowledged Graff’s concerns about liability and immigrant trust, but defended the agreements from a law-enforcement perspective. He argued that police agencies rely on mutual cooperation and compared law enforcement to a family in which officers help one another when assistance is needed.
Gans cautioned against “armchair quarterbacking” incidents like those in Minneapolis, saying public perceptions based on television coverage can differ from what officers actually experience on the scene. He stressed that facts are sometimes interpreted differently than reality from an officer’s viewpoint.
While recognizing the potential liability concerns for Red Willow County if lawsuits were filed, Gans also emphasized the importance of maintaining cooperation among local agencies and other law enforcement entities, including federal authorities. He suggested there could also be liability or other consequences in the opposite direction if officers refused to assist fellow law enforcement during dangerous situations.
Ultimately, he framed the issue as complicated and situational, saying it is difficult to determine where the proper line should be drawn, but he expressed understanding of the concerns being raised.
Commissioner Randy Dean further clarified that the Red Willow County Board had not formally considered or approved the three agreements discussed during the meeting. Dean said the only action taken by the commissioners was the earlier adoption of a resolution declaring that Red Willow County would not be a “sanctuary county.” He stated that he was unfamiliar with the 287(g) program until it was presented to the board weeks earlier, and suggested that the agreements themselves were entered into by the elected sheriff rather than by the county commissioners acting directly.
The presenters were thanked for their input, but no action was taken in response to their testimony.
Earlier Monday morning, Chairman Gans called the meeting to order with all members present. After a review of accounts payable, the board heard public comments during the public comment portion of the meeting.
McCook Economic Development Director of Housing Amanda Engell thanked the board for its membership in the McCook Economic Development Corporation, and Commissioner Randy Dean commended the EDC for its efforts.
The commissioners then convened as the Red Willow County Board of Equalization. County Assessor Lori Stevens presented tax roll corrections for the board’s consideration.
First Interstate Bank, having closed its McCook branch in April, was given a credit of $1,062.46. The board approved the correction unanimously.
Stevens also presented a contract with Central Plains Valuation, LLC, for valuation services valued at $92,000. The board approved the agreement and authorized the chairman to sign the contract on behalf of the county.
The board then reconvened to hear the quarterly report from the Red Willow County Board of Tourism. Director Elizabeth Aguirre read a prepared statement reviewing recent tourism activity, promotional efforts, community events and visitor trends within the county.
Commissioners thanked Aguirre for the update and continued work promoting Red Willow County and the McCook area.
Insurance representative Chad Svoboda of Svoboda Benefits presented the county’s health and ancillary insurance renewal recommendations. He reported that group life, accidental death and dismemberment, dependent life, voluntary life and vision coverage would renew with no rate changes. Dental coverage will increase slightly as part of a broader block-wide adjustment tied to rising dental costs, raising the monthly single coverage rate from $30.85 to $32.95. Officials noted that life and dental benefits are county-paid, while vision and some voluntary life coverage are employee-elected benefits.
Regarding the county’s self-funded medical plan, representatives said the initial renewal projection approached a 20 percent increase, but negotiations and a review of the stop-loss market reduced the final increase recommendation to approximately 8.06 percent. Fixed costs associated with administration, PPO access, transplant coverage and stop-loss premiums were described as increasing only modestly, while the claims pool adjustment reflected the county’s current loss ratio of about 83 percent compared to an expected 80 percent.
Svoboda also outlined a required IRS-related adjustment to the county’s HSA-qualified high-deductible plan, increasing deductibles from $3,300 to $3,400 for single coverage and from $6,600 to $6,800 for family coverage.
Representatives compared the county’s current partially self-funded structure to a fully insured option, noting the lowest fully insured quote would total approximately $1.313 million annually, compared with a maximum projected self-funded exposure of about $1.339 million, while still allowing the county to realize savings if claims remain favorable. Based on that analysis, the board approved the renewal as presented.
On Monday’s consent agenda, in addition to housekeeping items, commissioners reappointed Tricia Wagner to the board of the Red Willow County Health Department and accepted a $5,000 gift from the Kiplinger Foundation for lighting improvements at the Kiplinger Arena.
At the conclusion of Monday’s session, the board acknowledged receipt of the Clerk of District Court revenue report at $2,615.15 for the month of April and the City of McCook Tax Increment Financing report.
Finally, correspondence received included a Certificate of Membership from the McCook Economic Development Corporation, as acknowledged by Amanda Engell of the MEDC at the outset of the meeting. With no further business to come before the board, the meeting adjourned.