Fact Check: Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen's Statement on Immigration Raids and National Guard Activation
What We Know
On September 22, 2023, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen did issue a statement regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Omaha, expressing support for federal immigration enforcement. He stated, “Under the Biden Administration, the country’s immigration policy absolutely failed the American people for four years. We have to address the issue of illegal immigration, and I support the work of our federal partners to ensure that the law is followed” (Gov. Pillen Issues Statement on Omaha ICE Operations).
However, the claim that he activated the National Guard specifically in anticipation of anti-ICE protests is misleading. While it is true that the National Guard was activated, the context suggests it was a precautionary measure due to ongoing protests rather than a direct response to any specific event on September 22. Reports indicate that the activation was part of a broader response to protests against ICE actions that had already occurred (Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen activates National Guard ahead ...).
Analysis
The claim that Governor Pillen activated the National Guard specifically in anticipation of anti-ICE protests lacks clarity and context. While he did activate the National Guard, it was not explicitly stated that this action was taken solely due to anticipated protests on September 22. Instead, it appears to be a response to ongoing tensions and protests that had already been occurring in Nebraska (ICE protesters march to College World Series as governor ...).
The sources used to support the claim vary in reliability. The official statement from Governor Pillen is a primary source and provides direct insight into his views on immigration policy. However, the interpretation that the National Guard was activated specifically for protests is derived from secondary reporting, which may introduce bias or misinterpretation of the governor's intentions.
For instance, while the Nebraska Examiner and Yankton Press & Dakotan report on the activation of the National Guard, they do not clearly link it to a specific anticipation of protests on the same day, suggesting that the context is broader than the claim implies.
Conclusion
The claim that "Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen issued a statement in support of the immigration raids and activated the National Guard on September 22, 2023, in anticipation of anti-ICE protests" is False. While Governor Pillen did express support for ICE operations and activated the National Guard, the activation was not explicitly tied to anticipated protests on that specific date. The context indicates a response to ongoing protests rather than a preemptive measure for a specific event.
