Sheriff says local police and sheriff's office will not enforce federal immigration law; officials urge immigrant victims to call for help

Sheriff Easter addressed immigrant‑community concerns at the town hall, telling attendees that local police and the sheriff’s office do not enforce federal immigration law and that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a separate federal agency with its own policies.

The sheriff said local agencies submit arrest fingerprints to the FBI database; ICE receives national fingerprint information and may place detainers on individuals it identifies as present without authorization. He said the county honors detainers for felony and violent offenses but that ICE had not conducted large enforcement operations in Wichita of the sort reported in other cities.

Sheriff Easter and other officials said many immigrant residents fear contacting police; the sheriff said the Wichita Police Department and the sheriff’s office continue to instruct officers to prioritize victims and public‑safety responses without asking immigration status, and that outreach to immigrant communities has emphasized that residents can call for help.

Officials acknowledged the issue had created fear and said they have participated in community meetings to explain local practice. The sheriff said he was not aware of any recent major ICE operations in Wichita and said he expected federal partners would coordinate with local agencies if a complex operation were planned.

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Sheriff Easter and other presenters urged community members worried about immigration enforcement to continue reporting crimes and to use local outreach channels; county and city staff said they would continue public education and engagement with immigrant communities.