ICE Arrests More Than 100 in Southwest Kansas: What Immigrants and Families Should Know

What Happened in Southwest Kansas?

According to federal officials, ICE conducted Operation Safe Community - Kansas from September 22 through September 24, 2026. ICE agents made 104 arrests in Southwestern Kansas. The U.S. Attorney's Office said the operation was intended to apprehend noncitizens with criminal histories. (Department of Justice)

Federal officials identified arrests involving individuals with criminal histories that included offenses such as assault, domestic battery, aggravated battery, criminal threats, weapons offenses, and fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement. The federal announcement also identified several individuals who officials said had been convicted of more serious crimes. (Department of Justice)

The U.S. Attorney's Office has characterized the operation as targeted immigration enforcement rather than an arbitrary sweep. Because information about individual arrests may not be immediately available, however, the circumstances of each person's case must be evaluated separately.

What Does an ICE Arrest Mean?

An ICE arrest is an immigration enforcement action. It does not necessarily mean that the person is being prosecuted for a new criminal offense. A person may be taken into immigration custody because the government believes the person is subject to removal or detention under the immigration laws.

After an arrest, the person's next steps depend on their immigration history. Some people may be placed in removal proceedings before an Immigration Judge. Others may already have an existing Immigration Court case or a prior removal order. The person's immigration status, prior entries and exits, and criminal history can all affect what happens next.

Depending on the circumstances, a detained person may have an opportunity to seek release, contest removability, apply for immigration relief, or pursue other legal remedies. The available options vary substantially from one case to another.

Criminal History and Immigration Consequences

Criminal convictions can have serious immigration consequences, but the immigration analysis cannot be based only on the name of an offense. An attorney may need to examine the exact criminal statute, the conviction, the sentence, and the records from the criminal case.

The consequences can also depend on the person's immigration status. A lawful permanent resident, a person with a pending application, and a person who has never obtained lawful status can face very different immigration consequences from the same criminal conduct.

For that reason, families should avoid assuming that a criminal conviction automatically means deportation or, on the other hand, that a particular conviction has no immigration consequences. A detailed review of the criminal and immigration records is often necessary.

• Lawful permanent residents: A criminal conviction may affect their ability to remain in the United States or qualify for certain forms of relief.
• People with pending immigration cases: Detention may affect how an existing case proceeds, but a pending application does not necessarily disappear because of an ICE arrest.
• People with prior removal orders: The government may have additional authority to remove or detain the person, making prompt legal review particularly important.

What Families Should Do After an Arrest

When a family member is detained by ICE, one of the first priorities is finding out where the person is being held and understanding the person's immigration history. Families should gather documents rather than relying on information passed through social media or word of mouth.

If possible, family members should collect:

• Identification information: Full name, date of birth, and A-number.
• Detention information: The facility where the person is being held and any available booking information.
• Immigration records: Notices to Appear, Immigration Court orders, prior applications, and prior removal orders.
• Criminal records: Charging documents, plea agreements, judgments, and sentencing information, if applicable.
• Family information: Information about U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouses, parents, and children and any other circumstances that may be relevant to immigration relief.

These documents can help an attorney determine whether the person may have options involving custody, removal defense, or another form of immigration relief.

When to Contact an Immigration Attorney

An ICE detention can move quickly. A person may be transferred between facilities, scheduled for an Immigration Court hearing, or placed into a different procedural posture. Waiting until the person is close to removal can make it more difficult to evaluate all available options.

If a family member has been detained, an immigration attorney can review the person's immigration history, detention status, criminal record, and any pending or prior Immigration Court proceedings. The attorney can then determine what legal avenues may be available based on the specific facts.

We can help review detained immigration cases and explain the potential options, including immigration court representation, custody-related proceedings, and federal court remedies when appropriate.