Hailey
Immigration has always been a heated topic in the United States, especially in communities that see strong enforcement actions. In Kansas, a retired federal prosecutor, Leon Patton, has spoken out about his frustration with people who shame immigration enforcement.
Patton, who worked for 30 years as a federal prosecutor before retiring in 2020, believes that enforcing immigration laws is necessary. However, his comments have sparked debate, especially around the use of the word “alien” to describe immigrants.
This article explains what happened at the Lenexa City Council meeting, Patton’s point of view, reactions from council member Melanie Arroyo, and the wider argument about language, respect, and immigration law.
Who is Leon Patton?
- Age: 74
- Former Role: Retired Assistant U.S. Attorney
- Experience: 30 years as a federal prosecutor
- Known For: Prosecuting immigrants for violent crimes
Patton believes that immigration enforcement is being unfairly criticized. He argues that some immigrants commit crimes, and society must not ignore this fact.
Why Did Patton Speak at the Council Meeting?
Patton attended the Lenexa City Council meeting on August 19, 2025, to share his thoughts after community backlash about federal raids at El Toro Loco restaurants in Kansas City and Lenexa.
He said he wanted to share his “specialized knowledge” gained from decades in courtrooms. His main point: not all immigrants are innocent — some are criminals.
He also criticized newspapers and media for only showing part of the story.
The Restaurant Raids Controversy
On July 30, 2025, federal agents carried out raids at El Toro Loco restaurants. The warrants were meant to collect documents about worker exploitation, but many workers were arrested instead.
Critics argued that the raids were part of a broader anti-immigration agenda, unfairly targeting people who had not committed crimes or were even legal residents or U.S. citizens.
Patton, however, felt the story was incomplete without mentioning immigrants who had criminal records.
Patton’s Example: A Violent Offender
Patton gave the example of Jorge Carrillo-Hernandez, an immigrant from Mexico:
- Deported multiple times
- Returned to the U.S. repeatedly
- Committed violent crimes
- In 2018, sentenced to 6 years in prison
- Also convicted of selling his pregnant wife after 19 days of marriage
Patton used this case to argue that some immigrants do pose serious threats to safety.
Why Does Patton Feel “Shamed”?
Patton said that people who support immigration enforcement are often called racist or evil.
He insisted that using the term “alien” is not racist, since it appears in federal law and even in older editions of the Bible.
He criticized the political left for trying to “silence” people who disagree with them.
Melanie Arroyo’s Response
Lenexa City Council member Melanie Arroyo disagreed with Patton’s view.
She said it is reasonable to arrest violent offenders, but she stressed that many immigrants are not criminals.
- Arroyo explained that most immigrants targeted in raids had no criminal history.
- She admitted she felt conflicted about the idea of “shaming,” saying it can be counterproductive but sometimes happens because people feel ignored.
- She argued that words matter and that terms like “alien” have become outdated and insensitive.
The Debate Over Language
The word “alien” has long been used in U.S. law to describe a non-citizen.
- Patton’s view: The term is legal, not racist.
- Arroyo’s view: The term is dehumanizing because today people associate “alien” with science fiction and extraterrestrials.
She compared it to how mental health professionals stopped using outdated terms to describe disabilities. Language evolves, she said, and using respectful words shows progress.
Immigration Debate
| Topic | Patton’s View | Arroyo’s View |
|---|---|---|
| Immigrants & Crime | Some immigrants are violent criminals | Most immigrants are not criminals |
| Word “Alien” | Legal term, not racist | Outdated, dehumanizing |
| Shaming | Wrong to call law enforcers racist | Sometimes a reaction when voices are ignored |
| Federal Raids | Necessary part of law enforcement | Target innocent immigrants too |
Patton’s Thoughts
Patton said he does not support Donald Trump personally but understands why people vote for him.
He urged people to focus on real solutions instead of just slogans like “Abolish ICE.”
His message was clear: Stop bullying and shaming those who believe in enforcing existing laws.
The debate between Leon Patton and Melanie Arroyo reflects the wider immigration debate in America. On one side, there are people who want strict enforcement of laws and believe terms like “alien” are acceptable.
On the other side, many argue that language must evolve and that targeting immigrants without criminal records is unjust.
This Kansas debate highlights a bigger question: How should America balance law enforcement, respect, and fairness in immigration? As the nation struggles with these issues, it is clear that both sides want safety and justice, but they disagree on how to achieve it.