Jackson County legislator introduces resolution opposing reopening of CoreCivic Leavenworth detention center

Legislator Barker introduced a resolution from the floor Thursday expressing the Jackson County Legislature's opposition to reopening the CoreCivic‑owned facility in Leavenworth as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center. The clerk assigned the measure number 22115 and the chair referred it to the legislature as a whole for further consideration.

Why it matters: Barker said the facility’s reopening would have regional consequences if it resumed housing people detained by ICE. "They are petitioning the state of Kansas federal courts, against the local controlled efforts of both the city of Leavenworth as well as Leavenworth County to reopen this facility," Barker said during the meeting. He described the site as "a 1,200 I'm sorry, 1,000 bed ICE jail detention facility, and it would mean that the reactivation of ICE locally would start rounding folks up." The remarks were made when introducing the resolution and asking colleagues to consider it.

The resolution was introduced from the floor rather than coming through committee; Barker asked that the legislature consider a formal expression of opposition because, he said, local authorities had been working to prevent reactivation and CoreCivic was seeking relief in the federal courts. When another legislator asked to be a cosponsor, Barker replied, "Absolutely," indicating at least initial support beyond the primary sponsor.

Next steps: The clerk recorded the resolution as 22115 and the chair assigned it to the full legislature for follow up. No public hearing or vote on the resolution was scheduled during the meeting. The body adjourned; the next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 1 at 3 p.m. at the Jackson County Courthouse downtown.