Derek Schmidt attacks KCK immigrants in his bid for governor. Kansas, don’t reward it

As the war in Ukraine has shown, someone’s immigration status can change overnight. Those fleeing Ukraine are no different from people arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border seeking safety and a better life. And they’re no different from our neighbors here in Kansas.

Yet instead of being welcomed, our immigrant neighbors in Kansas have become some of the latest targets of political machinations in the United States. As Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis face reelection this year, they have both sought harmful anti-immigrant measures. While Abbot’s executive order that restricted the transportation of migrants — including to shelters — was blocked, other harmful measures of his Operation Lone Star remain. DeSantis directed the Florida Department of Children and Families to stop licensing shelters that care for unaccompanied children. He also signed an executive order that would further harm immigrants and their families.

Now, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt is asking the Legislature to politicize immigrant families in the state by overturning an ordinance passed by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, in February. The ordinance created stronger, safer communities for us all by granting municipal ID cards to undocumented immigrants and reducing entanglement with federal law by not requiring local law enforcement to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (unless required by state or federal law).

The Legislature obliged, and on March 23, HB 2717 passed the Kansas House. The bill just passed the state Senate on March 30. This legislation would forbid municipalities to enact, implement or enforce any policy, ordinance or rule that prohibits local law enforcement from communicating and cooperating with federal officials or sending and receiving information from the Department of Homeland Security. It also would not allow a municipal identification card to be used to satisfy the state proof of identity.

This law would have real life implications on immigrant communities and public safety at large. It is vital to allow undocumented immigrants access to state IDs, as these cards help people do vital everyday things, such as enroll children in school, cash a check, attend a school dance and feel comfortable seeking medical assistance, to name a few.

Immigrant victims of crime also are less likely to call the police when they know officers are cooperating with immigration enforcement. A call that should keep victims of domestic violence, trafficking or armed robbery safe can rapidly result in their being deported away from their homes and families. When immigrants fear to come forward to help get dangerous criminals off the streets, that puts us all at risk.

We ask that Gov. Laura Kelly veto this bill, and that the Legislature not vote to override, as it would affect the public safety of Kansas and the well-being of our immigrant communities. Our state can’t play into political pandering. The very fabric of our compassion hangs in the balance.

Let us reflect on the parable of the good Samaritan. Whom do we hope to emulate? The Samaritan who aids the wounded traveler in need of assistance? Those who passed the traveler by without a pause? Or would we sink so low as to be the very thieves who attack the traveler and take all he has?

Let us not be stirred by Attorney General Schmidt, who hopes to garner favor for his run for governor by stirring up anti-immigrant sentiment. We should not allow politicians and their political aspirations and schemes to dictate our values and compassion. Instead, let us be led by those values that make us better: compassion, empathy and a call to welcome the stranger.