ICE Raids Ag Facilities in Southwest Kansas

The presence and operations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Southwest Kansas — particularly centered around Dodge City, Garden City and Liberal — are creating significant social and economic ripple effects across the region.

As one of the nation’s primary hubs for commercial beef processing and agricultural production, Southwest Kansas relies heavily on an immigrant workforce.

In a joint statement the cities of Dodge City, Liberal and Garden City acknowleged the increased presence of ICE agents in their communities.

“The local governing bodies and law enforcement agencies of Dodge City, Garden City and Liberal were not notified in advance of the increased federal immigration enforcement activity taking place in our communities and became aware of the activity as the presence of federal agents became apparent to the public,” the statement said. “Local officials do not have operational information regarding these federal enforcement activities and do not have authority or control over their operations. Officials from all three communities have been in contact with members of our legislative delegation to share concerns, seek additional information regarding the current situation, and request assistance in keeping our communities informed.”

Kansas U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran and Dr. Roger Marshall both made posts on X about the ICE agents in Southwest Kansas. Moran says agents are carrying out warrants in the area and that Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin says the warrants are only for the purpose of arresting individuals who have been charged with criminal activities.

According to local news outlets, several area businesses temporarily closed their doors this week as federal agents made arrests. KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, reports Dodge City Public Schools sent messages urging families to update emergency contact records and notify school officials if designated guardians would be picking up children.

National Beef Packing Co. has processing facilities in Dodge City and Liberal. Toby Cook, the company’s vice president of communications, says, “National Beef is committed to doing business the right way with respect and support for our employees, our customers, the communities we serve, and following the law as required. We are providing legally appropriate cooperation and attempting to work through this process with the Department of Homeland Security in an orderly way.”

National Beef, Cargill and Tyson did not respond to inquireies regarding shift delays or reduced harvest numbers. However, USDA daily cattle harvest reports for Wednesday, Sept. 23 came in at 94,000 head — down 8,000 head compared to the prior week prior and down significantly from 121,914 head a year ago.

The Kansas Livestock Association, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and Texas Cattle Feeders Association have released a join statement about the ICE operations.

According to the statement, reported impacts have been:

• Thousands of fed cattle slated for shipping to processors now delayed, resulting in millions of dollars in lost revenue and additional costs.
  
• Workforce disruptions at numerous supply chain chokepoints such as feedyards, dairies, processors, feed and grain companies, transportation hubs, and community services.

“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.”

Why is ICE in Kansas?

A spokesperson for Dodge City says, “Because local governments have not received information from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding its current enforcement activity, we cannot provide a reason for the agency’s increased presence in Southwest Kansas.”

The heightened enforcement does follow an Aug. 31, 2026, workplace dispute at Kansas Dairy Development in Deerfield that turned deadly. Adonis Edgardo Aguilar-Juarez, 32, of Lakin, died from stab wounds sustained during an altercation at the calf and heifer facility.

Erlin Lagos-Gonzales, 43, of Garden City, was charged with voluntary manslaughter and is being held on a $500,000 bond. According to court records, Lagos-Gonzales, a Honduran citizen, had a deportation order issued in July 2025 that was never executed. State prosecutors believe he had been living in the U.S. without legal authorization since 2019.

The team at Drovers and Farm Journal will continue to track developments and update this story as new details emerge.