In the Dotte dispatch: Questions about ICE linger in KCK as World Cup looms
Editor’s note: The following is from this week’s In the Dotte newsletter, published weekly on Tuesdays. You can sign up here to get them delivered to your inbox.
Good afternoon, Wyandotte County!
With just weeks remaining until World Cup matches start in Kansas City, there’s still plenty of questions lingering about what that will mean for Wyandotte County and the rest of the metro.
Among those unanswered questions is what immigration enforcement will look like throughout an event that the federal government has said it wants ICE to police.
I’m Sofi Zeman, your guide through all things KCK. Let’s get to it.
As people from across the globe prepare to file into Kansas City and 10 other U.S. host cities, the federal government has said it’s going to tap on immigration enforcement officials to offer security during the World Cup.
And although ICE has said it’s not going to round people up on the streets, people who are non-citizens living in host cities may still be detained during the event. The agency said international visitors who come into the country legally, and who have their travel plans and documentation organized, should have nothing to worry about.
But local law enforcement in KCK said ICE hasn’t communicated its plans for policing immigration during the World Cup, and ICE didn’t answer numerous questions about what they’re specifically doing or how many agents will be in the metro.
Read my recent story to get a gist of what we know so far about what this could mean for immigrants in KCK and elsewhere.
Enjoying this newsletter? Share it with a friend. If it was forwarded to you, sign up here.
And, if you have questions about Wyandotte County or a tip about what else I should look into, please email me at szeman@kcstar.com
Sofi’s selects
💷 In a recent ethical dilemma, a Kansas regulator is being criticized for making a key regulatory decision that benefited someone who donated thousands to her campaign for governor. 🚨 KCK officers who have died in the line of duty made the “ultimate sacrifice” to protect their communities, Police Chief Karl Oakman said. See inside the services honoring their memories.
Across the River
⚖️ In a controversial move last week, a divided Kansas City Council overturned its ban on LGBTQ+ conversion therapy. Leaders said they had to do it, despite knowing it could be harmful.
Save the date
🌎 KCK is kicking off this summer by celebrating its rich diversity and international visitors. See how a new festival being held this week will meld “culture, fun, food and good vibes.”
Thank you for reading. See ya back here next week!
Looking for more?
- Explore our full newsletter lineup for updates on your favorite topics, including Chiefs news, restaurant happenings and political analysis.
- To see what we’re up to, follow The Star on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, Threads and Bluesky.
- Download the Star app on iOS or Android to get breaking news alerts.
- Have a question you want us to answer? Send us your KCQ.
Support our local journalists with a subscription.
