Undocumented residents won’t be arrested in virus outbreak, Wyandotte County DA says
After hearing undocumented residents were afraid to seek medical attention, the Wyandotte County’s district attorney assured the community that people will not be arrested based on immigration status amid the coronavirus outbreak.
“This is to dispel those concerns,” District Attorney Mark Dupree said in a letter Monday. “We are in this thing together.”
Undocumented residents will not be questioned, detained or arrested for staying at home or going outside, said Dupree, who noted he had consulted with law enforcement officials in the county.
“If you are having symptoms, please report,” Dupree said in a video Tuesday. “Our goal is to defeat this virus.”
Dupree’s letter came days after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it would temporarily not arrest people suspected of violating immigrant laws at or near health care facilities except in “the most extraordinary of circumstances.” The federal agency said it would focus detention efforts on “public safety risks” and people with certain criminal backgrounds.
By Monday, coronavirus cases in Missouri jumped to 183, up from the 106 on Sunday. Five people have died in the state.
In Kansas, confirmed cases rose from 64 to 82 — 16 of which were in Wyandotte County. There have been two deaths in the state, including a 70-year-old man who lived in a long-term care facility in Wyandotte County.
More cases are expected to be found as more people are tested for the virus.
With the uptick, jurisdictions in the Kansas City region, including Wyandotte, Johnson and Leavenworth counties in Kansas as well as Jackson, Clay, Platte and Cass counties in Missouri, ordered residents to stay home starting 12:01 a.m. Tuesday to limit the virus’ spread.
