EARL WATT
• Leader & Times
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were in Liberal Monday to follow through with President Donald Trump’s commitment to remove those who have entered the United States illegally and have committed crimes while in the United States.
According to a social media post by Liberal Mayor Jose Lara, “... up to, if not more than, five people were taken today from Liberal. The federal agents have left town for the night. I introduced myself to them and followed them out of town to Highway 83. They have every intention of returning in the coming weeks.”
In an earlier post, Lara stated that two of the arrests were Cuban nationals. He also added, “Please remember do not open your door until they show you a signed warrant.”
Local officials, by law, are required to cooperate with the enforcement of immigration enforcement.
In 2022, Gov. Laura Kelly signed HB 2717, which outlawed sanctuary cities in Kansas. The bill also stated that law enforcement agencies and officers, including municipalities and taxing entities, must cooperate “with federal officials regarding citizenship, immigration status and enforcement of federal immigration laws.”
The law also states, “No municipality shall enact, implement or enforce an ordinance, resolution, rule or policy that prohibits or in any way restricts a law enforcement officer, local official or local government employee, from taking the following actions with regard to information of the citizenship or immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of an individual: (1) Communicating or cooperating with federal officials; (2) sending to or receiving information from the United States department of homeland security; (3) obtaining or maintaining information; or (4) exchanging information with another federal, state, or local government entity.”
The law also states, “A municipality shall not limit or restrict the enforcement of federal immigration laws.”
