WABAUNSEE COUNTY (KSNT) – A local sheriff is helping break down how Kansas deputies are assisting federal immigration officials this year.
27 News checked in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) this week to see how many law enforcement agencies in Kansas have signed up to assist the federal agency under its voluntary 287(g) Program. The program allows local and state law enforcement officials to help carry out U.S. immigration policies under the oversight of ICE. Costs associated with training law enforcement under this program are covered by ICE.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and several sheriff’s offices around the state signed up to help ICE under the program earlier this year. The current list of agencies participating in the 287(g) program include the following as of June 11:
- Participating agencies.
- Cowley County Sheriff’s Office – March 5, 2025.
- 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.
- Rice County Sheriff’s Office – March 26, 2025.
- Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office – May 28, 2025.
- Pending agencies.
- Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.
- Ellis County Sheriff’s Office.
- Haskell County Sheriff’s Office.
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Wabaunsee County Sheriff Eric Kirsch told 27 News that his office is participating in the program under the Warrant Service Office (WSO) model. This is the same model that all of the above sheriff’s offices are participating in as well which amounts to giving local law enforcement the ability to serve and execute warrants on immigrants that are in the county jail.
“The Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office chose to participate in the 287G at the lowest tier Warrant Service Officer (WSO) program to improve coordination with federal immigration authorities in a lawful, limited, safe, and controlled setting,” Kirsch said.
Kirsch explained that his agency monitors 20 miles of “America’s Main Street” or I-70 which leads to a greater influx of people into the county jail. He said that one deputy with the sheriff’s office will be qualified to serve administrative warrants issued by ICE within the jail under the WSO model.
“The WSO program provides a clear legal process that respects due process while helping remove criminal offenders who pose a threat to the community,” Kirsch said.
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Deputies with the Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office will not be able to question people about their immigration status, conduct investigations or initiate deportations under the partnership. Kirsch said the role of his agency under the WSO model amounts mostly to filing paperwork and is limited in scope.
“The WSO program does not change how we serve the community or how we handle routine law enforcement matters or services to Wabaunsee County Kansas,” Kirsch said. “We will simply have a designated staff member who will have the authority to serve ICE administrative warrants inside our jail. This helps streamline the custody transfer process for individuals identified by ICE, without any cost to the taxpayers, nor ever involving deputies in immigration enforcement outside the facility.”
Kirsch said the WSO model does not invite immigration enforcement into the community. Its purpose is instead focused on forming a clear line of communication with federal officials.
“I will not allow Federal Authorities to have control over or dictate our policies or facility/community,” Kirsch said. “The WSO program is not nor ever shall be about broad immigration enforcement. Due to our geographic location in proximity to I-70 and the many arrests made by multiple agencies on I-70, we’re in a position where we have an increased likelihood of this program being used and our operational philosophy is to be in a constant state of readiness, safe, pro-active, accountable, and responsible in nature.”
The Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office can sever ties with the WSO model at any time if it chooses to do so. You can learn more about the 287(g) Program by clicking here.
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