Key Takeaways
• ICE aims for 3,000 daily arrests nationwide, hurting Kansas businesses relying on migrant workers.
• Kansas small businesses face labor shortages, revenue drops, and economic pain post-immigration raids.
• Agriculture and hospitality are hardest hit, driving up food prices and disrupting supply chains.
As of July 8, 2025, small businesses in Kansas are facing serious challenges due to a new wave of immigration crackdown. Federal enforcement actions, especially by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), have increased across the state, targeting industries that depend on migrant workers and customers. This has led to economic strain, labor shortages, and a climate of fear that is reshaping the daily lives of business owners, workers, and entire communities.
What’s Happening in Kansas?
Federal authorities have stepped up immigration enforcement in Kansas, focusing on sectors like agriculture and hospitality. ICE, following new federal directives, now aims to make at least 3,000 arrests every day across the United States 🇺🇸. While the official goal is to target people with criminal backgrounds, the reality is that these actions are affecting a much wider group. Many migrants—regardless of their legal status—are staying home out of fear, and this is having a direct impact on small businesses that rely on them.
Small businesses in Kansas are reporting:
– Sharp drops in revenue as migrant customers avoid public places
– Labor shortages because workers are afraid to show up
– Ongoing economic pain even a year after major raids
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these effects are not just temporary. Many businesses have not returned to their previous levels of activity, and some may never fully recover.
How the Immigration Crackdown Impacts Small Businesses
Fear Keeps Customers and Workers Away
The most immediate effect of the immigration crackdown is fear. Migrant workers and their families are avoiding workplaces, stores, and restaurants. Even those with legal status are worried they could be caught up in a raid or mistakenly targeted. This means fewer customers for small businesses, especially those that have always served the migrant community.
A local grocery store owner in western Kansas shared:
“We used to see families come in every weekend. Now, it’s quiet. People are scared. Some days, we barely make enough to keep the lights on.”
Labor Shortages Disrupt Key Industries
Kansas’s agricultural sector is especially hard hit. The Kansas Livestock Association, which represents over 5,000 members, says that ICE raids have made it much harder to find enough workers. Even legal workers are staying home out of fear, which makes it difficult to keep up with food production.
Matt Teagarden, CEO of the Kansas Livestock Association, explained:
“When workers don’t show up, it disrupts the whole food supply chain. That means higher prices for everyone, and it’s not just the farms that suffer—it’s the grocery stores, the restaurants, and the families who depend on affordable food.”
Businesses Struggle to Recover
Many small business owners say the damage from the immigration crackdown lasts long after the raids are over. Some have had to cut their hours, lay off staff, or even close their doors temporarily. A 2025 report from the American Immigration Council found that businesses in Kansas are still struggling to recover, even a year after major enforcement actions.
Key findings from the report:
– Long-term revenue loss: Many businesses have not returned to pre-raid sales levels.
– Ongoing labor shortages: It’s harder to find and keep workers, especially in agriculture and hospitality.
– Community impact: The fear and uncertainty affect everyone, not just migrants.
Why Is This Happening? Policy Background and Context
The current immigration crackdown in Kansas is part of a broader national policy that began during the Trump administration. These policies focused on aggressive worksite enforcement and deportations, especially in industries that rely on migrant labor. The Biden administration has continued and even intensified some of these efforts, arguing that they are necessary for public safety and economic stability.
Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), defended the crackdown:
“There will be no safe spaces for industries that harbor violent criminals or undermine ICE efforts. These actions are about keeping our communities safe and our economy strong.”
However, many local leaders and business owners argue that the policy is too broad and is hurting people who have done nothing wrong. They say the focus on enforcement, without support for businesses or workers, is making it harder for everyone.
The Numbers: Economic Impact in Kansas
The economic effects of the immigration crackdown are clear in Kansas:
- Agriculture and hospitality are the hardest hit. These sectors rely heavily on migrant labor for jobs that are difficult to fill with local workers.
- Food prices are rising. Disruptions in the supply chain mean that consumers pay more for basic goods.
- Small businesses are losing money. With fewer customers and workers, many are struggling to stay open.
The Kansas Livestock Association’s 5,000+ members show just how many businesses are affected. When workers stay home, it’s not just the farms that feel the pain—it’s every business that depends on them.
Real Stories: How the Crackdown Changes Lives
Migrant Workers: Living in Fear
For many migrant workers, the risk of detention or deportation is now a daily worry. Some have stopped going to work or sending their children to school. Others avoid public places altogether.
A farmworker in southwest Kansas described the situation:
“We came here to work and build a better life. Now, every day, we wonder if it’s safe to leave the house. Even people with papers are scared.”
Small Business Owners: Facing Tough Choices
Business owners are caught in the middle. They want to support their workers and customers, but they also have to follow the law. Some have had to reduce their hours, cut staff, or even close temporarily.
One restaurant owner in Dodge City said:
“We used to be busy every night. Now, it’s half empty. I’ve had to let good people go because we just don’t have enough business.”
Consumers: Paying the Price
When supply chains break down, everyone pays more. Grocery stores have fewer fresh products, and restaurants have to raise prices to cover higher costs. This affects all families in Kansas, not just those in the migrant community.
Expert Perspectives: What the Data Shows
Economic experts warn that aggressive immigration enforcement, without other labor policies to help businesses, can hurt local economies. Sectors like agriculture and hospitality depend on migrant labor for jobs that are hard to fill.
Advocates for immigrant rights argue that the current approach is counterproductive. Instead of making communities safer, it creates fear and instability. They point out that most migrants are not criminals and that their work is essential to the state’s economy.
Some industry leaders are calling for a more balanced approach. They want policies that secure the border but also make sure businesses have the workers they need.
What’s Next? The Future for Kansas Businesses
The federal government has made it clear that worksite enforcement will remain a priority in 2025 and beyond. This means that ICE raids and deportations are likely to continue, especially in states like Kansas.
Local and state officials may try to help by offering support programs or changing some policies, but as of July 2025, no major new laws have been passed. Advocacy groups are pushing for immigration reform that balances enforcement with protections for workers and small businesses.
Possible future developments include:
– Continued ICE raids in key industries
– More support programs for affected businesses (if state or local governments act)
– Ongoing advocacy for federal immigration reform
What Can Small Businesses and Workers Do?
If you own a small business or work in an industry affected by the immigration crackdown, there are steps you can take:
- Stay informed: Follow updates from official sources like the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for the latest on immigration policies and forms.
- Know your rights: Both employers and workers should understand their legal rights during ICE raids. The American Immigration Council and local advocacy groups can provide resources.
- Seek support: Organizations like the Kansas Livestock Association and local business groups may offer help or advice.
- Document everything: Keep records of your employees’ work status and any interactions with enforcement agencies.
Resources for More Information
- Kansas Livestock Association: Offers support and information for agricultural businesses affected by labor shortages.
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Provides official statements and policy updates.
- American Immigration Council: Publishes research on the impact of immigration laws and enforcement.
- Local media outlets: For ongoing news and community stories, check sources like KCUR 89.3.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters
The immigration crackdown in Kansas is not just a local issue—it’s part of a national debate about how to balance border security, public safety, and economic needs. Small businesses are often the first to feel the effects of these policies, but the impact spreads throughout the community.
Key points to remember:
– Small businesses in Kansas depend on migrant workers and customers.
– Aggressive enforcement actions create fear and disrupt the economy.
– Labor shortages and higher prices affect everyone, not just migrants.
– Long-term recovery is slow, and some businesses may never fully bounce back.
Conclusion: Moving Forward in Uncertain Times
As Kansas faces the ongoing effects of the immigration crackdown, small businesses, workers, and families are all searching for answers. The situation is complex, with no easy solutions. What’s clear is that the current approach is causing real harm to local economies and communities.
Business owners, workers, and advocates continue to call for a more balanced policy—one that keeps communities safe but also supports the people and businesses that keep Kansas running. Until then, staying informed, knowing your rights, and seeking support are the best ways to cope with the challenges ahead.
For more detailed information on immigration policies, forms, and your rights, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) official website.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the story of Kansas’s small businesses is a warning for other states: when enforcement actions go too far, the whole community pays the price. The future will depend on finding a better balance—one that protects both security and the livelihoods of those who call Kansas home.
Learn Today
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) → Federal agency enforcing immigration laws, responsible for arrests and deportations of unauthorized immigrants.
Labor shortages → A lack of enough workers to fill available jobs in key industries like agriculture and hospitality.
Supply chain → The system of producing and delivering goods, which can be disrupted by worker absences.
Worksite enforcement → Federal actions targeting businesses employing unauthorized immigrants to ensure compliance with immigration laws.
Kansas Livestock Association → Organization representing over 5,000 agricultural businesses affected by immigration and labor issues.
This Article in a Nutshell
Kansas small businesses suffer from intensified ICE raids causing labor shortages and fewer customers. Fear among migrants disrupts agriculture and hospitality sectors, leading to lasting economic damage and higher food prices. Recovery remains slow as communities seek balanced immigration policies to protect livelihoods while ensuring public safety.
— By VisaVerge.com
