Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin is drawing heavy fire from conservative watchdogs and immigration patriots after issuing a startling public declaration that federal enforcement officers will not be targeting illegal immigrants at commercial worksites across Kansas.
The explosive statement came directly on the heels of mounting pressure from major agriculture and livestock lobbies, leaving grassroots conservatives asking why federal immigration law is seemingly being carved out for big corporate interests.
According to reporting from NewsNation’s Ali Bradley, DHS clarified its position on social media, asserting that ICE is deliberately avoiding sweeping worksite operations in the Jayhawk State.
Bradley wrote on X, stating, “NEW: DHS says @ICEgov is not arresting illegal immigrants at worksites in Kansas.”
Mullin posted on X that “ICE is not conducting worksite operations in Kansas.” He added that agents have instead “conducted operations targeting heinous criminals including murderers, rapists, and drug traffickers and illegal aliens with final orders of removal.”
ICE is not conducting worksite operations in Kansas. ICE law enforcement has conducted operations targeting heinous criminals including murderers, rapists, and drug traffickers and illegal aliens with final orders of removal.
Some of the worst arrested by ICE in Kansas include: https://t.co/fwKqgQ8c8D
— Secretary Markwayne Mullin (@SecMullinDHS) September 25, 2026
NewsNation correspondent Ali Bradley reported the statement and noted it came as livestock associations in Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma released a joint statement pushing back on workplace enforcement and local outlets described businesses shutting their doors.
NEW: DHS says @ICEgov is not arresting illegal immigrants at worksites in Kansas— @SecMullinDHS saying, “ICE is not conducting worksite operations in Kansas. ICE law enforcement has conducted operations targeting heinous criminals including murderers, rapists, and drug…
— Ali Bradley (@AliBradleyTV) September 25, 2026
The sudden carve-out comes as regional livestock associations in Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma released a joint, coordinated pushback against federal workplace immigration raids.
Major agriculture industry groups argued that immigration enforcement was disrupting their labor supply at dairies, meat-processing plants, and feedyards.
According to local reports from KCUR News, several meatpacking facilities and small businesses in southwest Kansas temporarily shuttered their doors or saw severe worker absences this week as federal agents carried out targeted fugitive operations in neighboring areas.
As reported by the Texas Tribune, the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Kansas Livestock Association, and Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association teamed up to issue a joint statement demanding federal agents scale back operations that affect the agricultural supply chain.
The powerful industry groups complained that ICE presence creates a “chilling effect” on workers and warned of potential price increases on beef if worksite law enforcement continues unhindered.
Kansas Sens. Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall both contacted Mullin. Moran said the secretary assured him the warrants targeted people charged with criminal activity.
Nick Sortor, who amplified the story, posted: “So worksites are now safe zones for illegals in Kansas? Lmao.” He later wrote a separate post that exploded: “DHS Secretary Mullin has declared ‘worksites’ in Kansas are OFF-LIMITS to ICE. So basically, Mullin has granted amnesty to any illegal shittily building houses in America’s heartland. This is NOT what 80 MILLION Americans voted for!”
🚨 JUST IN: DHS Secretary Mullin has declared “worksites” in Kansas are OFF-LIMITS to ICE
So basically, Mullin has granted amnesty to any illegal shittily building houses in America’s heartland
This is NOT what 80 MILLION Americans voted for! https://t.co/EFPJcAWyke
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 25, 2026
On Mullin’s own thread, users hammered the secretary. FaceTheMountains wrote, “In other words. Ice only detains a few illegals. Backing down on what Americans actually wants, which is our country back.”
Gina Milan said, “So you’re avoiding worksites now that have illegals? We didn’t vote for this crap, by the way. We voted for mass deportations.” Shannon added, “We voted for ALL OF THEM TO BE DEPORTED.”
BeraMoose put it plainly: “We voted for ALL illegals to be deported, not just the ones that committed additional crimes. ICE needs to start worksite raids too. They don’t get a pass!”
Replies to Bradley’s post were just as blunt. One user wrote, “Aka, those businesses are using illegal labor. Arrest the business owners and shut down their company. Duh…”
Another: “So that means they’re using illegal labor.” Sarah Adams observed, “He thinks no criminals are on a job site, Mullin is painfully naive.” Others called Mullin a “sellout” and demanded President Trump fire him.
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