News

L&T staff report

Liberal was visited by immigration agents April 7, and reports have stated that anywhere from five to 15 people were taken into custody.

Some have made the accusation that some of those detained or deported were done so despite having papers that allowed them to be in the country legally.

The Leader & Times has reached out to the proper authorities to receive the names of those arrested and the charges or justification for their removal. As of press time, this information has yet to be received.

“We want to make sure the public is aware of the justification for the removal of those who were arrested April 7,” L&T Publisher Earl Watt said. “There are several rumors and accusations that can only be answered by providing the information to the public surrounding the federal action. We have filed a Freedom of Information request and fully expect to receive the information soon.”

This was not the first action taken in Liberal. According to a report from April 4, 2008, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers deported 28 from Liberal during a two-day operation March 29 and 30 of that year.

According to the release, “fugitive aliens” who failed to appear for their immigration hearings were removed after a federal immigration judge ordered them to be removed and they “absconded.”

Included in those deported at that time was a man who had assaulted a law enforcement officer and a woman who was being investigated for identity theft. Four others had criminal convictions.

ICE currently has a field office in Garden City and has had a presence in Southwest Kansas for several years.

Recent requests from the Department of Homeland Security have asked those in the country illegally to register and self deport to avoid other legal action including arrest and deportation action that could lead to being banned from returning to the United States at a later date.