An immigration enforcement operation in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday morning spilled over into Prairie Village, causing confusion and concern amongst residents.
An Olathe man originally from Honduras was detained as part of a targeted enforcement operation. He is currently being held at the Midwest Regional Reception Center in Leavenworth, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement‘s online detainee locator.
News of the operation, which happened at 72nd Street and State Line Road, spread on social media. While other Johnson County cities have seen immigration enforcement, ICE agents have seemingly stayed out of Prairie Village.
ICEout.org, a crowdsourced website where users submit reports of suspected ICE activity all over the country, shows no previous activity in Prairie Village.
Here’s what we know:
Prairie Village PD not involved
The detainee’s wife told the Post that he was on his way to work when ICE stopped him.
According to the Prairie Village Police Department, the initial stop and detention was in Kansas City, Missouri.
“The only involvement in PV was that after they detained the suspect, they moved the suspect’s vehicle off State Line and onto 72nd St in PV to prevent traffic issues on State Line,” Prairie Village Captain Josh Putthoff said in an email to the Post.
Prairie Village Police Department said they weren’t contacted about the operation, but did confirm the man had a criminal record and was previously deported.
The man’s wife disputed that, asserting to the Post that her husband had no criminal record.
The Post was unable to find any criminal record besides a citation for fishing without a permit, which was later dismissed by a judge.
His wife also objected to ICE’s claim that he had been previously deported, saying that last weekend’s arrest was his first time being detained by ICE.
What lawmakers say
City Councilmember Shelby Bartelt, who represents the area near where the man was detained, said she is disheartened that ICE activity has reached the Prairie Village community.
“Masked individuals refusing to identify themselves, claiming federal authority, should be a concern for everyone, regardless of where you stand politically,” she said in a statement to the Post.
“Residents don’t need to agree with me on immigration policy,” she continued. “They need to know their rights and stay informed, in case this ever reaches their street. I hope it doesn’t.”
City Councilmember Cole Robinson encouraged people in a Facebook post to reach out to Prairie Village Police if any activity appears unsafe.
“While our local police department works to have effective partnerships with other agencies, it is clear that federal immigration authorities have changed their tactics in a way that is unnecessarily creating more conflict, fear, and uncertainty for many Americans,” he wrote. “This is likely to continue until the current administration decides to change its ways.”
The man’s wife is currently looking for an immigration attorney and trying to get him out of detention on bond before their 9-year-old son learns his dad was detained.
