During a heated council meeting attended by hundreds of residents, a majority of Wichita City Council members expressed opposition to a proposed resolution that would prohibit the city from ever entering an immigration enforcement agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The council did not hold a formal vote on whether to advance the measure.
Mayor Lily Wu, council members J.V. Johnston, Becky Tuttle and Dalton Glasscock all voiced concerns about the resolution. Mayor Wu warned that a standing prohibition could draw unnecessary attention to Wichita, saying, “I’m concerned that adopting a standing prohibition on an agreement the city isn’t considering could draw unnecessary attention to Wichita.” Councilwoman Tuttle, representing District 2, echoed the sentiment, noting, “I’m not saying nothing should be done, I’m saying I don’t know if this is the right prescription at the time.”
While Wichita is not currently pursuing a 287(g) agreement—an arrangement that would allow local law‑enforcement officers to perform certain immigration‑related duties—the council’s discussion highlighted a desire from some community members to codify the city’s stance in writing for future consistency.
Supporters of the resolution included resident Emira Chavira Chaparro, who argued that racial profiling and arrests based on skin color or accent have no legal basis. “There is nothing legal about racial profiling or arresting people simply because of the color of their skin or the sound of their accent,” she said.
Logan DeMond, policy director for the ACLU of Kansas, framed the resolution as a protective message to the community, stating, “Above all it sends a clear message to the community that here in Wichita you matter and the city won’t go out of its way to do ICE’s dirty work for them.”
District 1 Councilman Joseph Shepard indicated he will continue to raise the issue, affirming, “My commitment to the community is I’m not stopping.” The council also agreed to consider holding a town‑hall meeting to further discuss the matter.
What This Means for Wichita Residents
The council’s opposition suggests that, for now, Wichita will maintain its current position of not pursuing a 287(g) agreement while leaving the door open for future discussion. Residents who favor a written prohibition can still advocate for formal legislation, but the council’s leadership appears cautious about enshrining a permanent ban that could limit the city’s flexibility.
Community members who are concerned about immigration enforcement are encouraged to attend the upcoming town‑hall, where they can voice their perspectives directly to elected officials. The council’s willingness to schedule a public forum reflects a commitment to transparency and to ensuring that Wichita’s policies align with the values of its families and faith‑based communities.
Original reporting: KWCH 12 (Gray) – local — read the source article.
