Mandy
LEAVENWORTH, Kansas — Emotions ran high Tuesday night as residents gathered both inside and outside Leavenworth City Hall to voice their opinions on a proposed immigration detention center. The meeting marked one of the final public opportunities for supporters and opponents to speak before city officials prepare to vote on the matter in the coming weeks.
The Leavenworth City Commission held the first of at least two public hearings to review a permit request from private prison operator CoreCivic. The company is seeking approval to reopen a currently inactive 1,000-bed detention facility and use it to house immigration detainees under contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
City leaders could reach a final decision as early as March 10.
Commission Moves Application Forward With Added Oversight
During Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners voted 4–1 to advance CoreCivic’s application. However, the approval came with changes. Officials amended the proposal to include the creation of a community task force designed to monitor the facility and ensure compliance with city agreements.
Under the revised plan, both the city and CoreCivic would select members of the oversight group, though specific details about the task force’s structure and responsibilities will be determined later.
CoreCivic spokesperson John Malloy addressed the commission, stating the company welcomes cooperation.
“We are open to collaboration. Clearly, it needs to happen,” Malloy said.
Earlier in the month, the city’s separate planning commission — appointed by the mayor and city commission — recommended approval of CoreCivic’s request for a special use permit.
Swift Action Expected if Approved
If city officials grant the permit, CoreCivic is expected to quickly begin housing adult immigration detainees. The facility would support former President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda, aimed at deporting individuals without full legal status.
If the application is denied, CoreCivic has indicated it will continue arguing in court that it is not legally obligated to obtain a city permit to operate the facility.
For nearly a year, the shuttered detention center has been at the heart of an ongoing legal dispute and heated public debate within the community.
Protesters and Supporters Speak Out
More than 60 individuals addressed commissioners during public comment, with dozens more gathered outside City Hall. Protesters held signs and chanted slogans such as “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA.”
Concerns About Immigration Policy
Leavenworth resident Darley Kasper said her opposition stems from moral concerns tied to immigration enforcement.
“For me, it’s a moral thing,” she explained. “People come to the States looking for a better life for not just themselves but also their children.”
Many speakers criticized the facility’s past record, citing alleged mismanagement and abuse prior to its closure in late 2021.
History of Safety and Staffing Issues
Before operations were suspended, the detention center faced years of reported problems. Former employees and detainees described frequent drug use, injuries, and deaths that they said could have been prevented.
A 2017 audit by the U.S. Department of Justice found that chronic understaffing contributed significantly to safety concerns.
CoreCivic has previously responded that most of the facility’s safety and staffing problems occurred during an 18-month stretch amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Employees Advocate for a Fresh Start
Several current CoreCivic employees urged commissioners to approve the permit, arguing that the facility has an opportunity to rebuild trust.
Taylor Mullins, a detention officer and military veteran, acknowledged public concerns.
“Those concerns are legitimate,” Mullins said. “But I also believe strongly that we now have an opportunity to rebuild this facility in a way that reflects the standards this community expects.”
Commissioners Question Accountability Measures
Commissioners posed numerous questions about oversight and accountability, seeking assurances that local and federal authorities would be able to monitor facility conditions effectively.
Warden Misty Mackey stated that agreements with local hospitals and law enforcement agencies would be finalized after the permit process concludes.
The meeting also revealed internal tension among commissioners, who appeared uncertain about parliamentary procedures while attempting to amend the permit conditions.
Some commissioners expressed comfort with reviewing the agreement more thoroughly in three years, when the special use permit would be scheduled for renewal.
What Happens Next?
The city commission is expected to hold at least one more public hearing before making its final determination. The decision could significantly impact the community, local politics, and broader U.S. immigration enforcement efforts.
With strong opinions on both sides, Leavenworth remains deeply divided as the vote approaches.
The proposed ICE detention center in Leavenworth has sparked intense debate, legal challenges, and passionate public testimony. Supporters argue the facility can operate responsibly with new oversight measures, while opponents fear it will repeat past failures and reinforce controversial immigration policies.
As the city commission prepares for a final vote, the decision will shape the town’s future, its relationship with CoreCivic, and its role in national immigration enforcement efforts. The coming weeks will determine whether the facility reopens or whether the legal fight continues in court.