At least one beef packing plant in southwest Kansas did not run from Sept. 24 to 26 following reported U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity, and others cut to limited schedules as workers stayed home, according to social media posts and local reports circulating since Sept. 22.

The affected communities — Dodge City, Garden City and Liberal — each host large meatpacking facilities and other agricultural operations whose workforces are now in question. The timing puts added strain on cattle and beef supply chains that industry groups say already face immense pressure across the United States.

On Sept. 24, the Kansas Livestock Association, Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association and Texas Cattle Feeders Association issued a joint statement confirming they are monitoring the reported ICE activity across agricultural communities in all three states. The groups reported thousands of fed cattle slated for shipping to processors have been delayed, resulting in millions of dollars in lost revenue and additional costs. They also cited workforce disruptions at chokepoints across the supply chain: feedyards, dairies, processors, feed and grain companies, transportation hubs and community services.

"Our organizations respect the responsibility of federal agencies to enforce the law. At the same time, cattle producers, feedyards, dairies, livestock markets, processors, and other rural businesses depend on a stable workforce to care for animals, protect food safety, and keep the supply chains operating," the groups said. "Sudden workforce disruptions can create immediate animal-welfare, operational, and economic consequences that extend well beyond an individual business. These ICE operations are having a massive chilling effect on the legal, documented, skilled workers that put beef on the table and keep the cattle supply chain moving. Additionally, these types of disruptions will lead to higher beef prices for consumers."

The organizations characterized the enforcement actions as "a costly and unnecessary impact to cattle producers already suffering from unwelcome political interference to both the markets as well as the physical supply chain." They noted the harm persists for days and weeks after operations conclude. KLA, OCA and TCFA urged federal officials to conduct enforcement in a "lawful, orderly, and transparent manner; respect due process; and communicate clearly with affected employers and communities."

Unions respond

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 2 and the UFCW International Union released their own statement Sept. 24. UFCW Local 2 President Martin Rosas called it an unimaginably difficult time for Liberal and Dodge City.

"No one should have to live in fear of going to work, sending their kids to school, or shopping at the grocery store," Rosas said. The local is gathering information about ICE's presence and continues to offer support to members and their families.

UFCW International President Milton Jones said the union stands "arm-in-arm" with members in Dodge City and Liberal and condemns ICE's presence in southwest Kansas.

"ICE's targeting of these communities sows fear, instability, and chaos into the lives of those trying to make a living and feed our nation. Local economies cannot thrive unless people feel safe," Jones said. "These disruptions directly impact the safety of all workers and the supply of beef. If supply drops, prices will go up. At a time when working people are already struggling with record-high food costs, our country cannot afford the havoc that these inhumane policies wreak in our communities."

Washington and Topeka weigh in

U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-KS, issued a statement Sept. 24 saying no one has been a stronger proponent of securing the borders. He said ICE and Kansas law enforcement have successfully worked together over the past two years to remove violent criminals, human traffickers and drug dealers, but that changed in recent days.

"In recent days in Southwest Kansas, law enforcement officers were not given advance notice or the level of cooperation we would expect from ICE's enforcement and removal operations. As a result, there have been mass disruptions to local communities and businesses," Marshall said, adding that he spoke with several sheriffs and police chiefs and relayed concerns directly to the Department of Homeland Security. "We must keep our communities safe, but it has to be done in a responsible and secure manner."

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-KS, also raised concern that local and county law enforcement received no notification from DHS, which oversees ICE.

Cities caught off guard

Dodge City, Garden City and Liberal issued a joint statement saying local governing bodies and law enforcement were not notified in advance of the enforcement activity and "became aware of the activity as the presence of federal agents became apparent to the public." Local officials lack operational information and authority over the operations, and have contacted their legislative delegation to seek information and request assistance keeping residents informed.

Finney County and the City of Garden City reported that attempts to establish "deconfliction" — the traditional first stage of interagency contact during outside operations — continued late into the evening of Sept. 22 with minimal to no success. The county has contacted its federal congressional delegation about the absence of that communication.

Ford County and Dodge City acknowledged in a Sept. 24 release that the situation "developed quickly and continues to evolve without any notice to local law enforcement," creating fear and uncertainty. They stressed the operations are federal and not locally initiated.

Two event facilities also disclosed they unknowingly hosted federal agents. The Finney County Fairgrounds in Garden City said it was not told the purpose of the space rental and requested the agents vacate Tuesday morning; they complied late Tuesday evening. Nataleigh Valles, director of the Ford County-operated Western State Bank Expo Center, posted a similar statement Sept. 22, saying the facility had no advance knowledge and asked the individuals and department to leave once the situation became clear.

With fed cattle backed up in feedyards, packing lines dark or slowed, and both producer groups and unions predicting higher beef prices if disruptions continue, the scope of the enforcement operation — and whether DHS adjusts its coordination with local authorities — will determine how quickly the region's cattle and beef supply chain returns to normal throughput.