Name: Rep. Alford pitches Cass County site for ICE detention facility
Uploaded: 2026-01-17T04:13:12.440Z
Duration: 3 min 6 s
Description: U.S. Rep. Mark Alford sent a letter to federal officials Friday offering his support to help bring an ICE detention and processing facility to Cass County.

U.S. Rep. Mark Alford sent a letter to federal officials Friday offering his support to help bring an ICE detention and processing facility to Cass County.

Cass County

Kansas City and Jackson County officials have expressed opposition to a proposed ICE detention facility, leading to a search for alternative locations. In response, Congressman Mark Alford and Cass County officials have offered a county-owned property in Belton, Missouri, as a potential site for the facility.

The proposal has generated mixed reactions among Cass County residents, with some supporting the potential for federal funding and job creation, while others express disappointment. The city of Belton, where the property is located, has stated it is not interested in hosting the facility.

Rep. Alford pitches Cass County site for ICE detention facility

Caleb, KSHB 41 is continuing to ask questions about a potential ice detention facility coming to our area. And today we've learned new details, including the offer of another site in the metro. And it's a story, Caitlin, that I've been digging into asking questions about all week long as a voice for everyone were listening to the voices of elected officials and residents to verify any developments and hear any thoughts about the facility. I've been reporting on this story since somebody alerted me to it yesterday to it earlier this week. Rather, yesterday I saw Homeland Security and ice agents. Touring a warehouse and standing outside that warehouse in South KC. I then went to ask some questions to the owners platform ventures. Today they sent me a statement. They said they were quote approached in October 2025 with an unsolicited offer to purchase a vacant industrial warehouse currently owned by an investment vehicle managed by platform ventures at the former Richards Gebauer Air Force Base, adding quote. In this case, all negotiations are complete. Well, yesterday, the city of Kansas City passed a ban on nonmunicipal detention facilities. So how would they even enforce that? Mayor Lucas told us the city will use every legal tool possible. Obviously, any entity can always look to sue, try to challenge it, but that is of course a lengthier process that would have to go and work its way through the courts here in either Jackson County, Missouri State courts or obviously the federal district court. Again, Sarah, thanks for following up on that tip and staying on top of this story for us this week. It's a big one and with the opposition just heard there from the city and the county, a local congressman is urging ice to consider another site instead. In Cass County, right, right? In case before doing news reporter ran Gamboa, he covers Cass County and was the first to break this news. He listens to the voices of city leaders and the residents. This property here in Belton is being offered as a potential home for an ice detention center, not by the city, but by the county. I'm Ryan Gamboa and I cover Cass County, Missouri, and I've been receiving calls about this and digging into it. It's one of the latest developments in cases presence in the Kansas City Metro, so I heard the voices of political leaders and residents in the county. I think it's a good thing. I think it's proper. It's disappointing. I don't think you ever imagine it being so close. It's mixed emotions for Cass County residents on the offer of an ice detention center in their community. After Kansas City and Jackson County showed opposition, this gives DHS an option, a supportive option of a community, a city, a county, a congressional district that actually has a right to a congressional district that actually wants to help Republican Congressman Mark Alford is leading the charge and he wrote a letter. To ice urging them to consider Cass County and his support from Cass County presiding Commissioner Bob Houston. They say it's about opportunity. We can bring more federal federal money to our county and more jobs. That's a good thing for our county. I would like them to hear that we're here for the American dream that many people have. Well, I mean, we want people in our nation by all means, but they need to come in right now. This property is technically in the city of Belton, but it is owned by the county. Now the city issued me a statement on Friday afternoon telling me that they're not interested. Reporting in Belton, Ryan Gamboa, KSHB 41 news.

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