Immigration agents sweep into Lawrence, detain 5, photos and video show
Individuals in Lawrence, Kansas, were stopped, handcuffed and detained by ICE and other federal immigration agents on Tuesday, according to video and photos captured by bystanders and distributed by a local activists group.
“We have received reports of ICE activity in West Lawrence and South Lawrence,” Lawrence-based Sanctuary Alliance reported on Tuesday, posting images on its social media. “We can confirm 5 total confirmed sighting. We can confirm 3 detainments.”
Sanctuary Alliance listed two additional reports of ICE activity in the city on Tuesday on its social media around 8 p.m.
According to the group, two individuals were detained as a result of the additional activity, which allegedly occurred in a church parking lot and an apartment complex.
With the additional reports Tuesday, the organization indicated five people were detained by ICE agents in Lawrence on Tuesday.
Images captured by an eyewitness show as many as four agents, with one in a vest marked ICE, for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and another marked ERO, for Enforcement and Removal Operations, taking individuals into custody at three locations.
They included one individual detained between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. at 23rd and Iowa streets, another taken into custody at about 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot for Hobby Lobby and El Potro Mexican Cafe at 34th and Iowa streets, and a third taken into custody at about 9 a.m. in the parking lot for Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers and Kwik Trip at 25th and Iowa streets.
Sheriff’s office, police not contacted by Department of Homeland Security, according to social media posts
The Lawrence Police Department did not confirm the detainments. It responded to the reports later in the day on its Facebook page.
“Lawrence Kansas Police Department leaders are aware of social media reports about immigration agents being in our city,” the statement said. “We’ve seen the videos and pictures. LKPD has not been contacted by the Department of Homeland Security and LKPD has not provided any assistance.
“As a reminder, immigration law is not a function of the Lawrence Kansas Police Department. In addition, LKPD Policy requires public notification if officers are asked to assist in civil immigration enforcement.”
The Lawrence Police Department linked to its policy on immigration enforcement, which reads, in part: “No member shall stop, question, arrest, or detain any individual based solely upon actual or suspected citizenship or immigration status.”
One video shows what appears to be three agents, two wearing masks, and all with tactical vests marked ICE, detaining a single individual, placing handcuffs on him behind his waist.
In a Facebook post Tuesday evening, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said it learned of ICE activity in the city through social media.
The agency “has had no contact” with the Department of Homeland Security, the post said.
In the post, Sheriff Jay Armbrister said ICE does not notify local law enforcement agencies before arriving in cities.
“It is frustrating when they demand cooperation from local law enforcement on several fronts but offer less than zero in return,” Armbrister said. “They swoop in, cause chaos, alter lives and sneak out without so much as a word.”
According to the sheriff’s office, ICE does not bring those in its custody to the Douglas County Jail.
If the sheriff’s office does deal with ICE, the post said, it is due to “an ICE request on an individual already being held in custody on local charges.”
This story was originally published February 17, 2026 at 6:25 PM.
