Wichita, Kansas – City leaders voiced strong opposition on Tuesday after federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained two well‑known local entrepreneurs. Rabih “Rob” Attar, owner of the La Galette bakery in the Delano District, was taken during his routine annual check‑in at the Wichita ICE office. Yessica Pena, founder of the popular Lady Burritos food truck, is being held at an ICE detention center in Chase County.
Community leaders denounce the arrests
“Rob and Yessica were not the profile of the folks that we were told federal agents were going after,” said Wichita City Councilman Joseph Shepard. “We are not targeting violent offenders; that is a lie. Yessica is a hard‑working Wichitan who started her business out of empathy and compassion to serve construction workers.”
Shepard’s remarks echoed a broader sentiment among Wichita residents that the detentions threaten families and local businesses that contribute to the city’s economy.
Attar’s background and legal defense
Attar has been in regular contact with immigration officials for more than two decades. He was originally arrested in 2000 on drug and gun charges alongside his uncle, but he served his sentence and has not reoffended in the 26 years since. His attorney, Abdul Arif, argued that Attar’s record of redemption makes him a model citizen deserving of family unity.
“This guy is a textbook story of a man who did something wrong, paid his dues, and redeemed himself,” Arif said. “He is not a threat to the United States. His wife and children are American citizens and will suffer if he is removed.”
Impact on local businesses and families
Employees at La Galette expressed concern for Attar’s family and the future of the bakery. “We are doing the best we can to keep this going for his family, for himself and for everybody else,” said employee Maria Esparza. “Because at the end we are one community. We’re a big family.”
Pena’s detention has also raised alarms among small‑business owners who rely on a stable workforce and predictable regulatory environment. Many fear that aggressive immigration enforcement could discourage entrepreneurship and hurt Wichita’s growing downtown economy.
Calls for policy change
Local officials are urging the federal government to adopt a more compassionate approach that distinguishes between violent criminals and law‑abiding residents who contribute to their communities. Shepard and other council members plan to draft a resolution urging Congress to prioritize family reunification and to limit ICE’s reliance on routine check‑ins that can disrupt local economies.
“We need immigration enforcement that protects our neighborhoods without tearing families apart,” Shepard added. “Wichita stands for hard work, faith, and the freedom to pursue the American Dream.”
Next steps
The Wichita City Council is expected to hold a public hearing next week to discuss the detentions and explore legislative avenues at the state level. Community groups have pledged to organize a peaceful rally outside the ICE office to show solidarity with Attar, Pena, and their families.
As the case moves through the federal system, Wichita residents remain hopeful that the voices of local business owners and civic leaders will influence a more humane immigration policy that aligns with the city’s values of family, faith, and individual liberty.
Original reporting: KWCH 12 (Gray) – local — read the source article.
