KSHB 41 reporter Ryan Gamboa covers Miami County in Kansas and Cass County in Missouri. He also covers agricultural topics. Share your story idea with Ryan.
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U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R - 4th District, Missouri) sent a letter to federal officials Friday offering his support to help bring an ICE detention and processing facility to Cass County.
The letter, first obtained by KSHB 41 News Cass County reporter Ryan Gamboa, comes a day after KSHB 41 News reported that officials from the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement toured a south Kansas City, Missouri, warehouse for possible use as a 7,500-bed immigration detention facility.
"This gives DHS an option, a supportive option of a community, a city, a county, a congressional district that actually wants to help," Alford told Gamboa in an interview on Thursday. "We have to deport, especially the criminal illegal aliens, and turn things around. That’s what President Trump Republicans, and everyone in Customs Enforcement is trying to do as well."
Later Thursday, the KCMO City Council passed an ordinance that placed a five-year moratorium on non-municipal detention facilities.
In Alford's letter to ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, he wrote Friday that if KCMO doesn't want such a facility, there are several options available in Cass County.
"Cass County offers several clear advantages," Alford wrote. "Local leadership and residents have demonstrated a willingness to work constructively with federal partners, respect the rule of law, and support public safety missions."
One of the possible locations sits just west of Interstate 49 in Belton.
The property is owned by Cass County and is marketed as the future site of the Sheriff’s Office North Annex at 155th Street and North Scott Avenue.
The site is less than a mile away from the warehouse ICE officials toured Thursday in KCMO.
"As a member of the Appropriations Committee, we look forward to helping make this happen in the 4th Congressional District," Alford said in the letter.
Cass County Presiding Commissioner Bob Huston said Friday he believes the commission is open to having a conversation with ICE.
"Cass County has always supported our law enforcement, from the city police to the county deputies, state patrol, and federal law enforcement," Huston said Friday. "Any time we can bring more federal money to our county, and more jobs, that's a good thing for our county."
In a statement Friday afternoon to KSHB 41 News, a Belton spokesperson said the city "was made aware (Friday) of discussions about a possible ICE detention facility being located in our community."
"For multiple reasons, the City of Belton is not interested," the spokesperson said.
The proposed seven-acre site is undeveloped with utility hook-ups.
Huston also stated that any action on this development would not be taken without a public hearing.
"You go anywhere in our county, it’s a great place to live, raise families, low crime, this would just be another great opportunity for our county to bring something like this here," Huston said.
Alford states in the letter that placing a detention facility in Cass County would reduce conflict with municipal governments while ensuring ICE can operate effectively in the region.
“A cooperative jurisdiction would allow federal officials to focus on enforcement operations rather than litigation, permitting disputes or public opposition campaigns designed to undermine federal authority,” Alford wrote. “The federal government should not be forced to negotiate with jurisdictions that openly seek to block or delay the execution of federal law. Cass County presents an opportunity to partner with a community that understands the importance of border security, public safety, and respect for federal responsibilities.”
The project is in the early stages of discussion. ICE must work with the city of Belton and the county for the project to move forward.
"We follow the rule of law. We're going to protect families and everyone that comes down here," Huston said. "We'll have some feedback if people don't want it, absolutely. You say stop, I say go. You're always going to have part of that. I think overwhelmingly, if you look at the people in our county, they're going to support something like this."
The North Scott corridor in Belton has been a topic of discussion for the city in the past year. KSHB 41 has reported on the revitalization efforts.
Belton planners are working on rezoning the area to build it up. North Scott was a major hub when Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base was operational.
Earlier this week, U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (D - 5th District, Missouri) sent a letter to DHS regarding concerns about a potential ICE detention facility in the Kansas City area.
"Such a decision would be overwhelmingly unpopular among our citizens and a waste of taxpayer funding that would be better served supporting local law enforcement and other public safety initiatives," Cleaver said in a statement to KSHB 41 News. "I will continue to do everything in my power to prevent this project from moving forward."
Residents in Belton expressed mixed emotions about the facility. Damon Malone, a resident in the nearby neighborhood, told KSHB 41 that this project needs to come to fruition.
"I think it’s a good thing, it’s proper, it’s needed. We want people in our nation, by all means, but they need to come in right, with proper visas, and have something for the American citizens in our nation," he explained. "Do I agree with everything Donald Trump? No. Do I agree with everything this administration does? No. What I do agree with is he’s trying to deal with a rough situation, and personally, he’s getting it done."
Gamboa took the temperature with Belton residents on Thursday night about the possibility of an ICE detention center in Kansas City, Missouri, near the Cass and Jackson County line.
"Knowing that it's coming here, it’s freaking everyone out. I’m afraid for me, my family, knowing what’s going to happen next," said Esmeralda Garcia Perez. "We’re not criminals. We’re not hurting anybody, like everybody has stated. Our parents came here to have a better, they came to give us a better life here."
Huston told KSHB 41 that he doesn't want residents in the county to live in fear.
"Most people are good people, but there’s a process you gotta go through to be here, and I am sure the government will pursue that," Huston added.
A detention development is far from complete, especially with opposition from the city of Belton.
Rep. Alford told KSHB 41 that there is another potential property near Harrisonville, Missouri, adjacent to the Cass County Justice Center that could be up for grabs if ICE wanted to pursue.
"There’s 70 acres the county owns, and the Harrisonville airport is across the highway. That would be another ideal location," Alford said. "That won’t be my place to decide, but the County commissions and those in charge here in Cass County."
Three parcels surround the Cass County Justice Center — two to the east and one to the west, all owned by the county.
All three of the properties sit within Harrisonville city limits.
Gamboa contacted the city of Harrisonville for comment, and a city spokesperson explained this was the first they had heard about a potential location. The city had not been contacted by any county leaders, including Sheriff Jeff Weber or the Congressman's office. Harrisonville's spokesperson went on to add that the city would not comment on a project without seeing any plans or a proposal.
As for the property in Belton, the Cass County Sheriff's Office issued a press release to Gamboa explaining the history of the project, which used to be home to a hotel.
"The demolition of the former Belton Inn on January 18, 2022, marked a major step toward reducing crime and revitalizing a long-blighted area of the community," the press release stated. "Removing the structure improved public safety and contributed to stabilizing the surrounding neighborhood."
The department says the County is facing challenges related to property easements and rising construction costs associated with the North Annex project.
New estimates show higher than anticipated construction costs, which could pose a financial burden on taxpayers.
In 2023, the Cass County Sheriff's Office outgrew its former facility and needed additional resources within its operating space.
The press release states that expanded facilities are necessary to support critical operations, including an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) regional task force and digital forensics lab — the department says it's critical to addressing complex criminal investigations.
"The Sheriff has been actively engaged in discussions regarding future facility needs. The Sheriff’s Office remains committed to identifying a responsible and sustainable solution to meet its growing space needs while continuing to serve the community effectively," the press release states. "The Sheriff also expresses appreciation to the County Commission for its continued collaboration, support, and commitment to addressing public safety and facility challenges in a fiscally responsible manner."
It's unclear whether the Sheriff Department has a stance on the potential to build an ICE facility on that property.
Presiding Commissioner Huston told KSHB 41 that all options are on the table.
Gamboa asked Huston about the possibility of combining a Sheriff's Office and a detention center. He explained it was too early to tell if that was an option and whether Sheriff Weber would want it.
He continued that the opportunity to bring more industry into the area was a positive.
"Anytime we can bring more federal money to our county and more jobs, that’s a good thing for our county," he added.
Alford explained that ICE is searching for properties that can offer bed space at this time.
Next week, Congress will be debating the remaining spending bills, which are expected to pass with bipartisan support. Given the political climate, the funding bill for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will be voted on solely and is expected be tougher to pass.
The Appropriations bills must pass both the House and Senate, then be signed into law by the end of January, to avoid another government shutdown.
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