Sightings reported in southwest Kansas appear to show an increased presence from Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE). Videos circulating on social media over the weekend showed ICE agents in different communities, including Dodge City and Liberal. Solidifying at least some of the speculation, Liberal Mayor Jose Lara confirmed that ICE had detained at least five people.

“This is the first situation this year where we have like a positive ID that wasn’t a routine thing where ICE comes every month,” said New Frontiers Project Coordinator Alejandro Rangel-Lopez. “Because we do have that, ICE does come once a month to these communities to pick up folks from the jails, but this is the first time that we have seen on-the-ground activity in our neighborhoods.”