TOPEKA — Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced Monday that 10 non-citizens with prior criminal convictions have been taken into federal custody following targeted enforcement operations in Hutchinson, Newton, Garden City and Dodge City in recent weeks.
The arrests, conducted between Oct. 24 and Nov. 14, were carried out by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation in partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to Kobach, the individuals detained were identified through the state’s new authority under the federal 287(g) program, which allows trained KBI personnel to perform certain immigration enforcement actions under ICE supervision.
“Had my office not obtained 287(g) authority and investigated these cases, these dangerous illegal aliens would have continued to live in Kansas communities hiding in plain sight,” Kobach said.
The detainees — citizens of Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba, Somalia, and Ethiopia — had previously been convicted of a range of offenses including second-degree murder, sex crimes involving minors, aggravated battery, drug trafficking, aggravated assault, and firearm-related crimes.
KBI Director Tony Mattivi said the initiative is aimed at removing individuals who pose a threat to public safety.
“Each of these offenders had been tried and convicted of a sex offense, a drug offense, or a violent offense,” Mattivi said. “Anyone without citizenship who commits serious crimes against Kansans should not be allowed to stay in our communities.”
The individuals detained include:
- Jose Luis Gomez Sr. (Mexico) – Distribution of opiates/narcotics
- Alonzo Mendez (Mexico) – Indecent liberties with a child 14–16
- Gilberto Taracena Monte (Guatemala) – Annoy/molest child under 18
- Diego Nevarez (Mexico) – Distribution/possession with intent to distribute heroin (multiple cases)
- Jose Rivera-Avila (Mexico) – Aggravated assault, criminal discharge of a firearm
- Bashir Omar (Somalia) – Second-degree intentional murder
- Nigisti Geberemedehni Beyene (Ethiopia) – Aggravated battery
- Yuliesky Hernandez-Padron (Cuba) – Aggravated robbery
- Jose Eduardo Garcia-Peralta (Mexico) – Distribution of opiates/narcotics
- Ramiro Erik Flores-Hernandez (Mexico) – Cultivation/distribution of controlled substances
All 10 are now in ICE custody and face federal immigration proceedings, including possible removal from the United States.
Kansas signed its 287(g) agreement with the Department of Homeland Security in February, allowing a limited number of KBI agents to receive ICE training and authority to issue immigration detainers and execute administrative warrants. Kobach, who campaigned on stricter immigration enforcement, has repeatedly touted the program as a key tool in state-level crime and immigration control.
The KBI said operations will continue as investigations identify additional individuals meeting enforcement criteria.