TOPEKA (KSNT) – More Kansas sheriff’s offices are entering into partnerships with federal immigration enforcement as a major celebration of Hispanic heritage approaches in Topeka.
The Capital City is preparing for the upcoming annual Fiesta Topeka that runs from July 15-19. However, some locals are worried about possible action from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the days ahead. This comes shortly after the local sheriff’s office entered into a new partnership with ICE.
27 News reached out to organizers of the fiesta and police to learn how they’re addressing immigration concerns ahead of the festivities. City of Topeka spokesman Dan Garrett provided a response on behalf of the TPD regarding immigration enforcement concerns ahead of the fiesta.
“The Topeka Police Department is dedicated to providing equitable police services for all community members, regardless of immigration status. This approach helps build trust, encourages cooperation, and creates a safe environment for everyone. Topeka police does not have an agreement with ICE.
Topeka Police will be at the Fiesta to ensure a fun and safe event for everyone in our community.”
City of Topeka spokesman Dan Garrett
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Fiesta Topeka regularly attracts large crowds to the downtown area for the parade and to the Oakland neighborhood for the rest of the nearly week-long festivities. Renee Franklin, co-publicity chair of Fiesta Topeka, talked to 27 News about ICE worries this week.
“We really just hope that everybody comes and has a good time with us,” Franklin said. “We hope that everybody stays safe and we’re obviously just hoping for a very smooth and enjoyable five days.”
The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office recently entered into a partnership with ICE under its 287(g) program. The program allows law enforcement organizations across the nation to assist federal agents by performing specified immigration officer functions under ICE oversight.
“The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office has been approved to participate in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 287(g) Task Force Model program. This effort will focus specifically on identifying and apprehending individuals who pose a significant threat to public safety, particularly those with active warrants for serious or violent offenses,” said Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Abigail Christian. “Participation in this program supports the agency’s core statutory responsibilities under Kansas law, which include the execution of lawful court orders and the apprehension of wanted individuals.”
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The sheriff’s office is participating in the program under the task force model. ICE reports that specialized training, enhanced public safety and increased collaboration between law enforcement agencies are some of the big benefits of signing up to this model within the program.
“The 287(g) Task Force Model serves as a force multiplier by allowing state and local law enforcement agencies to enforce limited immigration authority during routine police enforcement duties. This model allows state and local agencies to carry out immigration enforcement activities in non-custodial settings while under ICE supervision and oversight.”
ICE description of the task force model
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The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office is not the only law enforcement agency in Kansas to sign on to the 287(g) program. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and 11 other sheriff’s offices have also signed up to the program recently. However, the KBI and the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office are the only law enforcement organizations in Kansas which have signed up to the task force model while the rest are participating in the warrant service officer model.
Wabaunsee County Sheriff Eric Kirsch talked to 27 news in June about how his office’s duties have changed and what benefits are brought to it under the warrant service officer model. A full list of Kansas agencies that are now a part of the 287(g) program and when they joined it can be found below:
- Participating agencies.
- Finney County Sheriff’s Office – March 17, 2020.
- Jackson County Sheriff’s Office – July 23, 2020.
- KBI – Feb. 18, 2025.
- Reno County Sheriff’s Office – March 5, 2025.
- Cowley County Sheriff’s Office – March 5, 2025.
- Rice County Sheriff’s Office – March 26, 2025.
- Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office – May 28, 2025.
- Anderson County Sheriff’s Office – June 12, 2025.
- Haskell County Sheriff’s Office – June 12, 2025.
- Franklin County Sheriff’s Office – June 17, 2025.
- Jewell County Sheriff’s Office – June 25, 2025.
- Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office – July 2, 2025.
- Rush County Sheriff’s Office – July 7, 2025.
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