During the recent Overland Park City Council meeting, community member Christina Mendoza urged council members to take a definitive stance on the presence and activities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the city. Mendoza emphasized the importance of ensuring that all residents, business owners, and workers feel safe and welcome in Overland Park, particularly in light of recent ICE actions in nearby areas.

Mendoza recounted a troubling incident in Lenexa, where armed ICE agents conducted a raid, leaving a restaurant unsecured and its staff in distress. She highlighted the need for the council to develop a clear response plan for when ICE arrives in Overland Park, stressing that the city should not assist ICE in its operations.

She proposed several actionable steps for the council, including promoting community education on ICE witness training, informing business owners of their rights, and ensuring that the city does not share personal data with ICE without a judicial warrant. Mendoza called for the council to publicly affirm its commitment to protecting community members from what she described as the "lawlessness" of ICE.

The discussion reflects growing concerns among residents about immigration enforcement and its impact on community safety and trust. As the council considers these issues, the implications for Overland Park's approach to immigration enforcement and community relations remain significant.