US Attorney for Kansas Ryan Kriegshauser says “irresponsible rumors” about Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in southwest Kansas, rather than the operation itself, could “potentially harm the Kansas agricultural industry.”
Kriegshauser says there were claims saying there were “discriminatory sweeps based on skin color and race” that were “misguided and irresponsible.” This counters concerns from city officials in Liberal and other southwest Kansas towns, as well as agriculture advocacy groups that have said the operation has disrupted ag operations and could lead to issues with worker safety, product safety and product prices. In fact, the Kansas Farmers Union Board of Directors has called for Congress to prioritize what it calls comprehensive immigration reform as a way to protect workers, support businesses and keep families together.
Kriegshauser says Operation Safe Community Kansas took place between September 22-24 and led to over 100 arrests. Kriegshauser says arrests involved alien offenders with significant criminal histories. He has not said whether undocumented residents without criminal histories were detained.
