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ICE raids Kansas meatpacking towns, detaining mother with baby, sparking protests

Sep 26, 2026·Location: Liberal, KS

ICE raids Kansas meatpacking towns, detaining mother with baby, sparking protests
Photo via KWCH

ICE agents conducted large-scale enforcement operations in Dodge City, Garden City, and Liberal, Kansas—an area known as the 'golden triangle of beef'—arriving around September 22-23 and departing roughly three days later. Agents in unmarked vans and plain clothes stopped vehicles and detained dozens of people in surrounding communities, including a mother taken into custody with her baby, prompting a volunteer to arrange for a relative to retrieve the child. Hispanic and Latino residents described being stopped based on appearance, with agents even entering a local restaurant before being told to leave. Advocates said many detained had no criminal records, while Dodge City schools warned families of possible relative detentions and 120 students missed school at one elementary school. Community organizer Amy Soberanes delivered food to frightened residents and described children crying over detained parents, while worker Deymi Anayela Martinez Lemus described an empty parking lot and short staffing at area plants operated by Cargill and National Beef. Businesses closed or slowed operations, USDA data showed reduced cattle processing, and industry groups estimated millions in lost revenue. About 200 people protested in downtown Dodge City calling for immigration reform, and the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 2 condemned the operation. Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall criticized ICE for failing to coordinate with local officials, while DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said ICE targeted people with final removal orders and criminal histories rather than conducting worksite operations.

Timeline

Sep 26, 2026—Reports detailed economic impact on meatpacking plants, community fear, and political criticism from Kansas senators and DHS
Sep 25, 2026—ICE agents departed the area after roughly three days of operations
Sep 24, 2026—About 200 people protested in downtown Dodge City calling for immigration reform
Sep 23, 2026—Large-scale enforcement operations began near meatpacking plants, with dozens detained including a mother with a baby; schools warned families and plants delayed shifts
Sep 22, 2026—ICE agents arrived in Dodge City, Garden City, and Liberal, Kansas, stopping vehicles and detaining residents based on appearance
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