Immigration (Detention)

Nebraska's LB 881 requires law enforcement agencies, county/city jails, and the Nebraska State Patrol to obtain prior approval from their local governing body before entering agreements to enforce immigration law. This applies to any agreement involving immigration enforcement actions like detention or arrest, excluding human trafficking-related agreements. The bill mandates a 30-day written notice to the local governing body, a public hearing, and approval before any new agreement takes effect starting July 1, 2026. Existing agreements must terminate by December 1, 2026, unless approved by the local body by October 15, 2026. Agencies must also report all approved agreements to the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement within 60 days.

LB 963 prohibits Nebraska state agencies from entering into any agreements related to immigration enforcement - such as detaining or arresting individuals for immigration purposes - without prior approval from the Nebraska Legislature. This applies to all state agencies and officials, making unapproved agreements void and unenforceable, with a specific exception for agreements related to human trafficking enforcement. The bill also defines "immigration enforcement agreement" broadly to include contracts, memorandums, or leases with public entities, while excluding human trafficking-related cooperation. It does not change current prison detention policies but modifies definitions in the Nebraska Treatment and Corrections Act to align with these new requirements.