Osborn, Ricketts Navigate ICE Stances as Funding Debate Looms

Nebraska Senate race spotlights differing views on immigration enforcement amid high-profile incidents in Minnesota.

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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In Nebraska's heated U.S. Senate race, independent candidate Dan Osborn and Republican incumbent Pete Ricketts have taken differing stances on the role of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as Congress debates the agency's funding. Osborn has called for 'common sense' and 'consistent standards' for ICE, while Ricketts has defended the agency's tactics. The debate comes amid high-profile incidents in Minnesota involving ICE agents.

Why it matters

The debate over ICE funding and tactics has become a key issue in the Nebraska Senate race, reflecting broader national tensions around immigration enforcement. Osborn's nonpartisan positioning and Ricketts' staunch support for ICE highlight the political divides on this issue, which could sway voters in the Republican-leaning state.

The details

Osborn, running as an independent, has sought to maintain support from Democrats and nonpartisans while also appealing to Republicans. He has criticized the 'division of people' caused by increased ICE presence and called for an 'unbiased' investigation into the killing of Alex Pretti by immigration agents in Minnesota. Ricketts, the former Republican governor, has defended ICE's tactics and criticized Osborn for 'dodging questions and talking out of both sides of his mouth' on the issue.

  • In early 2023, Ricketts visited the Texas border with Mexico with a group of fellow GOP U.S. senators to praise Trump's border policies.
  • On January 21, 2026, Osborn told a Norfolk radio station that he 'hates to see this division of people' and is 'not taking sides' on ICE's increased presence in Minnesota.
  • Days after the killing of writer and mother Renee Good, Ricketts defended ICE's enforcement tactics, saying 'President Trump was elected to secure the border and clean up the mess that President Biden made.'
  • A day after Pretti was shot by immigration agents in Minnesota, Ricketts released a statement that he expected 'a prioritized [and] transparent investigation,' saying his 'support for funding ICE remains the same.'
  • Last week, Congress and congressional candidates fought over a partial federal government shutdown, with Osborn trying to maintain support from Democrats and nonpartisans while also attempting to not alienate Republicans.

The players

Dan Osborn

An independent candidate running for U.S. Senate in Nebraska, Osborn has sought to maintain a nonpartisan positioning on issues like immigration enforcement.

Pete Ricketts

The Republican incumbent U.S. Senator from Nebraska and former two-term governor, Ricketts has defended ICE's tactics and criticized Osborn's stance on the agency.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president, whose border policies and immigration enforcement tactics have been a point of contention in the Nebraska Senate race.

Alex Pretti

A person who was shot and killed by immigration agents in Minnesota, sparking outrage and calls for an 'unbiased' investigation from Osborn.

Renee Good

A writer and mother who was killed, with Ricketts defending ICE's enforcement tactics in the aftermath.

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What they’re saying

“I hate to see this division of people and I'm not taking sides.”

— Dan Osborn, Independent U.S. Senate Candidate (WJAG)

“President Trump was elected to secure the border and clean up the mess that President Biden made.”

— Pete Ricketts, U.S. Senator (Nebraska Examiner)

“I would have voted with those eight Republicans.”

— Dan Osborn, Independent U.S. Senate Candidate (KFAB)

“Osborn is 'dodging questions and talking out of both sides of his mouth.'”

— Pete Ricketts, U.S. Senator (Nebraska Examiner)

“Osborn campaign manager John Dolan questioned the 'mental acuity' of whoever wrote the statement.”

— John Dolan, Osborn Campaign Manager (Nebraska Examiner)

What’s next

Congress and the White House are expected to continue negotiations over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which includes ICE, in the coming weeks as the partial government shutdown deadline approaches.

The takeaway

The debate over ICE's role and funding has become a flashpoint in Nebraska's Senate race, reflecting the broader national tensions around immigration enforcement. Osborn's nonpartisan positioning and Ricketts' staunch support for ICE highlight the political divides on this issue, which could sway voters in the Republican-leaning state.