Davids Demands Accountability Following ICE Sweeps in Southwest Kansas, Citing Threats to Ag Economy and Grocery Prices

October 15, 2026 Press Release Today, Representative Sharice Davids called on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to answer for the economic fallout of recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforcement sweeps in southwest Kansas . Davids highlighted the severe disruption to Kansas’ agricultural economy, local small businesses, and food supply chains following sudden enforcement sweeps, which could raise beef and grocery prices. "I write to raise grave concerns regarding recent... ICE operations in western Kansas... where sudden enforcement sweeps... immediately paralyzed local agricultural economies, threatened to push grocery prices even higher, and left small businesses shuttered across the region,” wrote Davids . “While I continue pushing both parties for common-sense immigration reform... we need immediate accountability. I urge you to commit to immigration enforcement that coordinates with local law enforcement, respects legal workers, and does not rely on racial profiling or significant economic disruptions for the sake of headlines or mass panic." Recent federal enforcement operations in Dodge City, Garden City, and Liberal resulted in 104 arrests, sparking widespread panic across southwest Kansas — a crucial hub responsible for more than 20 percent of the nation’s daily cattle slaughter. The abrupt operations severely disrupted local meatpacking plants, causing a nearly 16 percent single-day drop in fed-cattle slaughter and an overall 8.5 percent week-to-week decline , according to USDA reports. Local businesses were forced to temporarily close their doors, while union representatives and economists warned that halting plant operations will drive beef prices far beyond ground beef's already elevated $7.16-per-pound average. Major Kansas agricultural organizations have voiced sharp criticisms of the uncoordinated federal actions: "These ICE operations are having a massive chilling effect on the legal, documented, skilled workers that put beef on the table and keep the cattle supply chain moving. Additionally, these types of disruptions will lead to higher beef prices for consumers… These disruptions come at a time of enhanced focus and pressure on the cattle and beef supply chain. They are a costly and unnecessary impact to cattle producers already suffering from unwelcome political interference to both the markets as well as the physical supply chain. Frustratingly, the harm these actions cause to cattle producers last for days and weeks after such operations conclude.” — Kansas Livestock Association “Kansas dairy farms depend on a reliable workforce to provide consistent, around-the-clock care for animals. Recent [ICE] enforcement activity has created significant uncertainty and concern among workers, including those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. We urge federal officials to carry out enforcement actions in a lawful, orderly, and transparent manner that respects due process and provides clear, timely communication to affected employers, workers, local law enforcement, and communities.” — Kansas Dairy Association Read Davids’ full letter here or below Dear Secretary Mullin, I write to raise grave concerns regarding recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in western Kansas, where sudden enforcement sweeps in Dodge City, Garden City, and Liberal resulted in 104 arrests, and immediately paralyzed local agricultural economies, threatened to push grocery prices even higher, and left small businesses shuttered across the region. I believe in the importance of enforcing federal immigration laws and protecting Kansas families from crime. In this instance, however, I have heard concerns from agriculture and business stakeholders about how these activities were conducted and their impact on communities across the state. Kansans have shared with me several instances of citizens and documented persons being targeted on their way to work or going about their day, and in many cases, local law enforcement was not consulted. Southwest Kansas is a crucial hub for American agriculture – home to more than 20 percent of the country’s daily cattle slaughter.  ICE’s activities corresponded with an 8.5 percent drop in cattle slaughter week-to-week according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture as meatpacking capacity was significantly disrupted.  The Kansas Livestock Association stated last month that these operations, “[had] a massive chilling effect on the legal, documented, skilled workers that put beef on the table and keep the cattle supply chain moving…. They are a costly and unnecessary impact to cattle producers already suffering from unwelcome political interference to both the markets as well as the physical supply chain.” This comes as Americans are struggling with staggeringly high grocery prices – including the price of ground beef jumping 7.9 percent year-to-year – and the smallest cattle herd in decades. The immigration enforcement efforts also delivered a notable hit to Kansas’ dairy industry, which accounts for more than $3 billion in economic impact and 11,000 jobs statewide. The Kansas Dairy Association shared that ICE’s activities, “created significant uncertainty and concern among workers, including those who are legally authorized to work in the United States.” While your agency frames these multi-day September 2026 operations as targeted at individuals with criminal histories, the immediate fallout has inflicted severe collateral damage on southwest Kansas’s economy, national food supply chains, and working families already struggling at the checkout counter. In addition to notable impacts on the agriculture sector, ICE’s activities led to local business closures and school absences. These extreme actions leave Kansans feeling less safe, strain local economies, and disrupt national supply chains. While I continue pushing both parties for common-sense immigration reform – securing our border against violent crime and drug trafficking while supporting our agricultural sector – we need immediate accountability. I urge you to commit to immigration enforcement that coordinates with local law enforcement, respects legal workers, and does not rely on racial profiling or significant economic disruptions for the sake of headlines or mass panic. Sincerely, Issues : Agriculture Jobs, Economy & Small Businesses