Wichita officials and residents are mobilizing after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained two local business owners, prompting concerns about the effect on families and the city’s economy.
According to KWCH, Rabih “Rob” Attar, who runs La Galette bakery in the Delano District, was taken into custody during his annual check‑in at the Wichita ICE office. Attar, who has been meeting with immigration officials for more than 20 years, was originally arrested in 2000 on drug and gun charges. His attorney, Abdul Arif, argued that Attar has served his sentence and has not reoffended in the 26 years since, describing him as “a textbook story of a man who did something wrong and then paid his dues and redeemed himself.” Arif added that Attar’s wife and children are U.S. citizens and that the family would suffer greatly if he were removed.
Yessica Pena, the founder of Lady Burritos, is being held at an ICE detention center in Chase County. Councilman Joseph Shepard said both Attar and Pena “were not the profile of the folks that we were told that federal agents were going after,” and stressed that the federal government’s narrative that ICE targets violent offenders is false. Shepard highlighted Pena’s community contributions, noting she started Lady Burritos out of “empathy and compassion” to provide convenient food for construction workers.
Employees at La Galette expressed determination to keep the bakery operating for the sake of the family and the broader community. “We are doing the best that we can to keep this going for his family, for himself and … for everybody else,” said employee Maria Esparza, adding that the staff feels like “one community” and “a big family.”
In response to the detentions, local fundraisers have been launched to assist both families. The KWCH article provides links to the respective campaigns, encouraging residents to contribute.
While the detentions have sparked criticism of current immigration enforcement practices, Wichita leaders are emphasizing the importance of supporting law‑abiding families and preserving local businesses that serve the community.
There are no scheduled court dates or public meetings announced at this time. Residents are urged to follow updates from the families’ legal teams and to consider supporting the fundraising efforts.
Sources: kwch.com
