Leavenworth Community Oversees ICE Detention Center

0:00It's April 29th. I'm Cory with the story, and this is Kansas News Today, local news powered by AI. Leavenworth folks are pushing hard for transparency and accountability at the new Core Civic Ice Detention Center. Back on March 10th, the city approved a special use permit, which set up a 14-member community relations advisory board with reps from, Core Civic, Immigration lawyers, and local officials. The board kicked off with an intro meeting on March 31st. Core Civic sharing updates on staffing. They got over 5,400 unique applicants submitting nearly 8,100 applications early this year, and they've already hired about 280 employees with top-notch training. They're offering tours to board members, linking up with groups like Sisters of Charity for volunteers, and Warden Misty Mackey's been meeting police, chiefs, and sponsoring local events like mental health block parties. Residents are split, but united on oversight activists who fought the opening, like Ashley

1:01Hernandez, from the Carceral Accountability Council, now sit. On the board, and our building ties with the Warden for detainee support, others, like Suzanne Sievers, call out the secrecy, saying, board meetings aren't public under Kansas law, and info on detainees feels rumor-based. After Victoria Parker Mothershed, whose church was an underground railroad stop, sees echoes of history in caring for immigrants today. Right now, the facility holds around 225 detainees out of a 1,104 capacity with groups fundraising for. Mutual aid in a possible hotline, Core Civic says the next board meeting set for late this month. Meanwhile, the city manager stresses the board's just advisory. Local enforcement stays with them, and they've kept open talks with Core Civic since day. 1. As detainees settle in, the community's locked in on making sure everything runs right from the jump.