To whom it may concern…

I am sharing this as a call to action.

Across the Kansas City metro, on both sides of the state line, we are seeing a dramatic increase in immigration enforcement in our communities, including at gas stations, grocery stores, food stands, work areas, neighborhood streets, and places where people are simply trying to live.

This has been happening here for some time, but it has now reached an unprecedented level. Our communities need answers, transparency, and leadership from those with the power and responsibility to respond.

People are being stopped, searched, detained, and taken away by our federal government with little information, limited contact with family, and no clear answers for those left behind. No one should have to buy groceries, go to work, drive through their neighborhood, or stand in line at a food truck fearing one ordinary moment could change their life.

This is not public safety. This is fear.

Every person has rights, regardless of immigration status. Due process is not optional, yet it is being violated right here at home. People have the right to remain silent, speak with an attorney, refuse to sign documents they do not understand, and be free from unlawful searches and seizures. These rights deserve to be defended by the leaders we have entrusted to represent us.

So, we are asking: How long will this continue? Are any local agencies coordinating with federal immigration enforcement? Are local officials being notified? What safeguards exist to prevent abuse, racial profiling, and unlawful searches? Who will publicly denounce it and demand answers? And who is working toward real solutions to stop this siege on our communities?

Immigrant families are no strangers to our communities. They are the people we work with, worship with, learn from, build alongside, and call friends. They are parents, workers, students, business owners, and neighbors who have helped shape this city for generations. The Latino story in Kansas City is woven into our neighborhoods, churches, schools, small businesses, culture, and everyday life. Our communities have built, served, strengthened, and loved this city for a long time, and now they urgently need people to stand with them.

We are asking for leadership. If you represent us, speak. If you have authority, ask questions. If you have access to information, share it. If you have power to protect people, use it. If you know someone who can get answers, send this to them.

Kansas City deserves transparency. Our communities deserve protection. Our families deserve dignity. Kansas City needs leaders willing to stand in front of this fear and say, without hesitation, that this is not okay, this is not who we are, and we refuse to let any family in our community face this alone while their rights, dignity, and future are on the line.