WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Gov. Laura Kelly hosted a town hall meeting on Monday, speaking to meatpacking employees affected by recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in southwest Kansas.
Kelly began by acknowledging that her presence in Dodge City came two weeks after ICE activities were first reported in the area. She said that she was worried an earlier visit could have inflamed tensions.
ICE arrested more than 100 in southwest Kansas, feds say
But the governor said that she stayed in communication with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union and the Kansas Livestock Association. Both of these organizations had representatives at the meeting.
Kelly said that the raids may have ended, but their effects are still being felt in the community and the economy. She said that some meatpacking facilities had to close for days because workers were scared to leave their homes even after agents were gone.
“Even when they left, there was still some residual impact of people not being back at work and all shifts not operating at all cylinders,” Kelly said. “So I’m sure that the cost is very high.”
Advocates prepare immigrants for more ICE activity in Kansas
Martin Rosas, the president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union in Wichita, said that these disruptions won’t only be felt in Kansas…