OMAHA — Police chiefs in Nebraska’s two largest cities said Tuesday they are unaware of any planned immigration raids or other enforcement activities coming to their areas as a result of President Donald Trump’s promised crackdown on illegal immigration.

Furthermore, both the Lincoln and Omaha chief issued bilingual public statements this week to try and assure residents that local officers won’t actively seek out people based on immigration status.

Lincoln Police Chief Michon Morrow said her team wanted to be known for its community-based policing.

“We want to assure the community that filing a police report or accessing law enforcement services is not dependent on citizenship or immigration status and can be done so without fear,” she said. “We are dedicated to making sure everyone feels safe and treated with respect when they interact with LPD officers.”

In Omaha, Chief Todd Schmaderer was joined by Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert at a Tuesday news conference both said was planned over the weekend and intended to quell apprehension amplified by national reports of imminent deportations under the new Trump administration.

“Enforcing immigration law is the responsibility of federal law enforcement agencies, not the Omaha Police Department,” said Stothert. “Omaha police officers do not and they will not stop individuals to check their legal status.”

Pillen Lauds Trump ‘Strength’

Meanwhile, Gov. Jim Pillen on Tuesday issued a statement that he was encouraged by the “strength” of Trump’s immigration and border orders. He said the State of Nebraska would support the president’s crackdown.

“I will issue an executive order to all state agencies directing them to cooperate to the full extent of the law with federal efforts to enforce our immigration laws and affirmatively support the apprehension of criminal aliens,” the governor said.

Pillen said Nebraska would continue to support Trump’s efforts at the border.

“I have twice ordered the Nebraska National Guard to conduct border security missions in Texas,” he said. In all, four Pillen-directed state deployments in 2023 and 2024 of the Nebraska State Patrol and the National Guard cost the public $2.27 million.

“Our soldiers and airmen performed these missions with excellence and skill and stand ready to do the same again, if needed,” he said.

‘Down The Middle’

Schmaderer described Omaha as “pretty much right down the middle” — with the extremes being “sanctuary cities” that refuse to participate in federal immigration enforcement and cities with police agencies that take an active role in immigration enforcement.

Like his Lincoln counterpart, Schmaderer said he does not want victims or witnesses, regardless of citizenship or legal status, to feel intimidated or threatened in reaching out to the department.

“The best approach to police this matter, from our point of view, is the Omaha Police Department maintains our role as police officers in this city … federal authorities, they will be the ones to do immigration enforcement.”

He said, however, that Omaha officers will participate in situations where a person is considered dangerous.

Asked what would happen if federal officials insisted on help, Schmaderer said he doesn’t have to stray from his defined mission.

“The federal government can’t come one day and give a directive to the Omaha police chief, to the mayor, to say, ‘This is what you’re going to do.’”

The Lincoln chief said her department would continue to enforce city ordinances and state law with equal treatment, regardless of an individual’s immigration status.

She said the department engages in ongoing partnerships with cultural centers, businesses and schools. Morrow did not hold a news conference but issued a written statement about immigration enforcement in English and Spanish.

Omaha’s mayor and police chief released a bilingual video message Monday night on YouTube and followed up with the news conference on Tuesday.

This story was published by Nebraska Examiner, an editorially independent newsroom providing a hard-hitting, daily flow of news. Read the original article: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/21/lincoln-police-chief-joins-omaha...