By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">Shauneen Miranda</a>

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is bringing back a physical fitness test to public schools after over a decade, but details of the new test, including timing and implementation, remain to be seen.

Trump signed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/presidents-council-on-sports-fitness-and-nutrition-and-the-reesetablishment-of-the-presidential-fitness-test/" target="_blank">an executive order</a>&nbsp;July 31 that reestablished the Presidential Fitness Test — a source of both fear and achievement among youth — and committed to revitalizing the “President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition,” which would develop the test.

“Rates of obesity, chronic disease, inactivity, and poor nutrition are at crisis levels, particularly among our children,” the executive order notes. “These trends weaken our economy, military readiness, academic performance, and national morale.”

The president designated Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to administer the test.

The council is tasked with creating “school-based programs that reward excellence in physical education and develop criteria for a Presidential Fitness Award,” according to a White House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/07/fact-sheet-presidents-council-on-sports-fitness-and-nutrition-and-the-reestablishment-of-the-presidential-fitness-test/" target="_blank">fact sheet</a>.

The order did not provide any details on what the test will look like or how or when it will roll out.

Laura Richardson, a clinical associate professor of kinesiology at the University of Michigan, said she hoped to see an updated version of the test that focused more on level of activity than on a student’s performance.

“I’m hopeful that maybe it will be reevaluated and revised and really have some tools that don’t just look at how fast you are or how strong you are, but more holistic in the tools we need to get our children to be active in childhood that should then continue through the trajectory into adulthood,” Richardson told States Newsroom.

Richardson added that testing alone would not be sufficient to see improvement in kids’ physical fitness, and called for increasing resources to schools to help students be more active.

“Sedentary behavior is really widespread — we’re seeing increasing obesity among all ages,” Richardson told States Newsroom. “We can test … but if we’re not giving the tools to the teachers and the students and the parents, we may continue to see the same data.”

Rep. Jeff Van Drew&nbsp;<a href="https://vandrew.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1887" target="_blank">announced last week</a>&nbsp;that he will introduce a bill to codify Trump’s executive order.

In a statement, the New Jersey Republican said he coordinated with the administration, including Kennedy, when writing the bill.

“Every parent wants their kid to grow up strong and healthy,” he added. “This bill is about making sure they are given the tools to do just that.”

The Presidential Fitness Test dates back to President Dwight Eisenhower, who set up the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/executive-order-10673-fitness-american-youth" target="_blank">President’s Council on Youth Fitness</a>&nbsp;in 1956 following&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vox.com/2015/4/24/8489501/presidential-fitness-test" target="_blank">alarming findings</a>&nbsp;on the state of youth fitness in the United States compared to youth in European nations.

The test initially included sit-ups, a mile run, a shuttle run, pull-ups or push-ups and a sit-and-reach, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/exercise-and-fitness/taking-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test" target="_blank">Harvard Health</a>.

Since then, the test has seen several versions. The most recent major revamp was in 2012, when President Barack Obama’s administration replaced the Presidential Fitness Test with the&nbsp;<a href="https://fitness.foundation/presidential-youth-fitness-program-2" target="_blank">Presidential Youth Fitness Program</a>, which aimed for a more individualized and health-focused approach.

The program, which came after criticism of the Presidential Fitness Test and concerns about its psychological effects on youth, aimed to minimize “comparisons between children and instead supports students as they pursue personal fitness goals for lifelong health,” according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://odphp.health.gov/pcsfn/programs-awards/presidential-youth-fitness-program" target="_blank">Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion</a>&nbsp;within the Department of Health and Human Services.&nbsp;

President John F. Kennedy, an uncle of the current HHS secretary, expanded on Eisenhower’s efforts. In a&nbsp;<a href="https://archive.org/stream/the-soft-american-kennedy/The%20Soft%20American%20-%20Kennedy_djvu.txt" target="_blank">1960 essay</a>, “The Soft American,” the president-elect at the time described physical fitness as a “vital prerequisite to America’s realization of its full potential as a nation.”

According to HHS’&nbsp;<a href="https://odphp.health.gov/pcsfn/history-council" target="_blank">Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion</a>, President Kennedy also promoted “taking the 50 mile hikes previously required of U.S. Marine officers” in a national public service advertising campaign.

President Lyndon B. Johnson established the Presidential Physical Fitness Award Program in 1966 for “exceptional achievement by 10- to 17-year-old boys and girls,” per HHS.&nbsp;

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">Shauneen Miranda</a>WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is bringing back a physical fitness test to public schools after over a decade, but details of the new test, including timing and implementation, remain to be seen.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecKennedy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecKennedy</a> on the Presidential Fitness Test: &quot;We need to re-instill that spirit of competition and that commitment to nutrition and physical fitness — and I&#39;m so grateful to <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> for your leadership in bringing this back for our country.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/f0KOxlwsdJ">pic.twitter.com/f0KOxlwsdJ</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1951020726292545607?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump signed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/presidents-council-on-sports-fitness-and-nutrition-and-the-reesetablishment-of-the-presidential-fitness-test/" target="_blank">an executive order</a>&nbsp;July 31 that reestablished the Presidential Fitness Test — a source of both fear and achievement among youth — and committed to revitalizing the “President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition,” which would develop the test.“Rates of obesity, chronic disease, inactivity, and poor nutrition are at crisis levels, particularly among our children,” the executive order notes. “These trends weaken our economy, military readiness, academic performance, and national morale.”The president designated Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to administer the test.The council is tasked with creating “school-based programs that reward excellence in physical education and develop criteria for a Presidential Fitness Award,” according to a White House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/07/fact-sheet-presidents-council-on-sports-fitness-and-nutrition-and-the-reestablishment-of-the-presidential-fitness-test/" target="_blank">fact sheet</a>.<h2>Expert hopes for ‘holistic’ revamp</h2>The order did not provide any details on what the test will look like or how or when it will roll out.Laura Richardson, a clinical associate professor of kinesiology at the University of Michigan, said she hoped to see an updated version of the test that focused more on level of activity than on a student’s performance.“I’m hopeful that maybe it will be reevaluated and revised and really have some tools that don’t just look at how fast you are or how strong you are, but more holistic in the tools we need to get our children to be active in childhood that should then continue through the trajectory into adulthood,” Richardson told States Newsroom.Richardson added that testing alone would not be sufficient to see improvement in kids’ physical fitness, and called for increasing resources to schools to help students be more active.“Sedentary behavior is really widespread — we’re seeing increasing obesity among all ages,” Richardson told States Newsroom. “We can test … but if we’re not giving the tools to the teachers and the students and the parents, we may continue to see the same data.”<h2>Bill would codify test</h2>Rep. Jeff Van Drew&nbsp;<a href="https://vandrew.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1887" target="_blank">announced last week</a>&nbsp;that he will introduce a bill to codify Trump’s executive order.In a statement, the New Jersey Republican said he coordinated with the administration, including Kennedy, when writing the bill.“Every parent wants their kid to grow up strong and healthy,” he added. “This bill is about making sure they are given the tools to do just that.”<h2>Latest version of test</h2>The Presidential Fitness Test dates back to President Dwight Eisenhower, who set up the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/executive-order-10673-fitness-american-youth" target="_blank">President’s Council on Youth Fitness</a>&nbsp;in 1956 following&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vox.com/2015/4/24/8489501/presidential-fitness-test" target="_blank">alarming findings</a>&nbsp;on the state of youth fitness in the United States compared to youth in European nations.The test initially included sit-ups, a mile run, a shuttle run, pull-ups or push-ups and a sit-and-reach, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/exercise-and-fitness/taking-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test" target="_blank">Harvard Health</a>.Since then, the test has seen several versions. The most recent major revamp was in 2012, when President Barack Obama’s administration replaced the Presidential Fitness Test with the&nbsp;<a href="https://fitness.foundation/presidential-youth-fitness-program-2" target="_blank">Presidential Youth Fitness Program</a>, which aimed for a more individualized and health-focused approach.The program, which came after criticism of the Presidential Fitness Test and concerns about its psychological effects on youth, aimed to minimize “comparisons between children and instead supports students as they pursue personal fitness goals for lifelong health,” according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://odphp.health.gov/pcsfn/programs-awards/presidential-youth-fitness-program" target="_blank">Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion</a>&nbsp;within the Department of Health and Human Services.&nbsp;President John F. Kennedy, an uncle of the current HHS secretary, expanded on Eisenhower’s efforts. In a&nbsp;<a href="https://archive.org/stream/the-soft-american-kennedy/The%20Soft%20American%20-%20Kennedy_djvu.txt" target="_blank">1960 essay</a>, “The Soft American,” the president-elect at the time described physical fitness as a “vital prerequisite to America’s realization of its full potential as a nation.”According to HHS’&nbsp;<a href="https://odphp.health.gov/pcsfn/history-council" target="_blank">Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion</a>, President Kennedy also promoted “taking the 50 mile hikes previously required of U.S. Marine officers” in a national public service advertising campaign.President Lyndon B. Johnson established the Presidential Physical Fitness Award Program in 1966 for “exceptional achievement by 10- to 17-year-old boys and girls,” per HHS.&nbsp;

President Trump pledges overhaul of school fitness tests

HORRY COUNTY, So. Carolina—Law enforcement investigating a fatal hit-and-run incident have identified the victim as 26-year-old Dezhon Overton of Kansas City, Kansas, according to the Horry County South Carolina Coroner's office.

Just after 12:30 a.m. Sunday, police responded to a call for service related to a leaving the scene of a traffic collision with injuries at 21st Avenue South and Kings Highway, according to a statement from Myrtle Beach Police. 

First responders determined that two pedestrians were struck by the vehicle and the suspect vehicle had fled. The victims including Overton&nbsp; were immediately transported to Grand Strand Medical Center for treatment of their injuries. Overton was pronounced deceased a short time later. He was on vacation at the time of the incident, according to police.

The Myrtle Beach Police Real Time Crime Unit along with assisting units had already started investigating which led them to the location of the suspect vehicle. The driver of the vehicle has been arrested.&nbsp;

HORRY COUNTY, So. Carolina—Law enforcement investigating a fatal hit-and-run incident have identified the victim as 26-year-old Dezhon Overton of Kansas City, Kansas, according to the Horry County South Carolina Coroner's office.Just after 12:30 a.m. Sunday, police responded to a call for service related to a leaving the scene of a traffic collision with injuries at 21st Avenue South and Kings Highway, according to a statement from Myrtle Beach Police. First responders determined that two pedestrians were struck by the vehicle and the suspect vehicle had fled. The victims including Overton&nbsp; were immediately transported to Grand Strand Medical Center for treatment of their injuries. Overton was pronounced deceased a short time later. He was on vacation at the time of the incident, according to police.The Myrtle Beach Police Real Time Crime Unit along with assisting units had already started investigating which led them to the location of the suspect vehicle. The driver of the vehicle has been arrested.&nbsp;

Police: Kansas man on vacation dies after hit-and-run incident

Leader of UnidosUS decries the humanitarian and economic damage of Trump administration’s immigration raids. ‘This is about our civil rights being destroyed’

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/marysanchez/">Mary Sanchez</a>&nbsp;

The economic power of the Latino population in the United States is as massive as it is misunderstood.

Latinos contribute more than&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/us-latino-gdp-skyrockets-to-record-37-trillion-dollars" target="_blank">$3.7 trillion</a>&nbsp;annually to the economy, more than the gross domestic product of all but four countries in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.worldometers.info/gdp/gdp-by-country/" target="_blank">the world</a>.

Latinos are the nation’s largest minority group with 64 million people.

The vast majority, eight out of 10, are U.S. citizens.

By 2030, one out of every three people entering the workforce will be Latino.

But acknowledgement of&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/" target="_blank">those facts</a>&nbsp;is lacking,&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/publications/analyzing-inclusion-of-latino-contributions-in-us-history-curricula-for-high-school/" target="_blank">studies show</a>, especially among policymakers and politicians.

The vacuum leaves space for false narratives to flourish.

One example for the leader of the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization is the Trump administration’s inaccurate labeling of Latinos as criminals and outsiders who don’t contribute to the nation.

“If we’re going to have an economy that really moves the country forward and sustains all of us, it has to include the Latino community from a demographics perspective,” said Janet Murguía.

Murguía, a native of Kansas City, Kansas, is president and CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/" target="_blank">UnidosUS,</a>&nbsp;which is holding its annual conference in Kansas City Aug. 4-7.

The conference opens days after nearly a dozen people were taken from their jobs at two Kansas El Toro Loco Mexican Bar and Grill locations in morning raids by Homeland Security Investigations, a unit of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The detentions of the employees were filmed and witnessed by community members and sparked a protest later in the day.

Videos show the employees as they were being taken from the restaurants in handcuffs and with chains around their waists. Food was left cooking at the Lenexa location and a handwritten note “Closed” was taped to the front door, which was left unlocked.

Murguía is critical of some tactics that Homeland Security is using in its efforts to meet the administration’s goal of removing 3,000 undocumented immigrants daily.

Increasingly, she said, what’s happening is unlawful and unconstitutional.

“This is not about immigration,” Murguía said. “It’s about civil rights.”

Negative narratives about Latinos that are unsubstantiated by data are being used to justify the actions, including some actions that shred due process, she said.

UnidosUS is the umbrella organization for more than 300 affiliates spread across virtually every state. Three are in the Greater Kansas City area:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.elcentroinc.com/" target="_blank">El Centro</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://guadalupecenters.org/" target="_blank">Guadalupe Centers</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://mattierhodes.org/" target="_blank">Mattie Rhodes Center</a>.

The nearly 60-year-old organization’s current strategy is three-pronged — to protect, defend and advance the Latino community.

Murguía served in former President Bill Clinton’s administration and also once served as an executive vice chancellor at the University of Kansas.

She said abuse of power and government overreach in immigration enforcement must be challenged.

“We intend to do everything we can to provide the advocacy to push back against this and demand accountability in the courts and through the administration and in Congress,” Murguia said.

Partnerships with&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/press-releases/national-latino-and-civil-rights-groups-denounce-federal-overreach-in-los-angeles-raids/" target="_blank">other civil rights organizations</a>&nbsp;will be key, she said, noting deep connections with the leadership of the National Urban League, the National Action Network and the Legal Defense Fund.

“This is about our civil rights being destroyed,” she said. “Partners and allies can be really critically important in communicating that to the broader public and understanding that we’re all threatened in this country when actions happen.”

‘There is no American agenda without a Latino agenda’&nbsp;

UnidosUS is linking with some of the leading researchers in the nation.

Documenting the social and economic impact of mass deportation will be crucial.

<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/04/03/kansas-man-deported-after-visiting-grandfathers-grave-in-mexico/" target="_blank">Some immigrant families are of mixed status</a>, with at least one family member who might be undocumented and others who are not.

Approximately&nbsp;<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/233150241700500101" target="_blank">6.6 million American citizens</a>, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fwd.us/news/mixed-status-families-1/" target="_blank">5.5 million U.S. children</a>&nbsp;— over 8% of all children in the U.S. — live in a household with at least one undocumented family member.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/233150241700500101" target="_blank">2017 study</a>&nbsp;predicted that removing one family member from every mixed-status household through deportation would drop the median income of those households by nearly 50%.

The report was written with data compiled by the Center for Migration Studies of New York and published by the Journal on Migration and Human Security.

“Removing undocumented residents from mixed-status households would reduce median household income from $41,300 to $22,000, a drop of $19,300, or 47%, which would plunge millions of US families into poverty,” the report noted.

The ramifications on homeownership, businesses and taxes paid could be dramatic.

If the U.S. removed all of its undocumented residents, “gross domestic product (GDP) would be reduced by 1.4% in the first year, and cumulative GDP would be reduced by $4.7 trillion over 10 years,” the report said.

Updated data will be key to track not only the outcomes of current immigration policy but also the Trump administration’s recently approved budget bill. UnidosUS called it&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/press-releases/unidosus-statement-on-us-house-passage-of-harmful-federal-budget-bill/" target="_blank">“a stunning betrayal to working families, vulnerable communities and the American electorate who entrusted them with their votes”</a>&nbsp;due to its cuts to health programs and food assistance.

Studies can also inform&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/events/understanding-systemic-racism-and-resulting-inequity-in-latino-communities/" target="_blank">a wide range of initiatives</a>&nbsp;that have long been the focus of UnidosUS: homeownership, educational attainment, health, voting rights and political empowerment.

Data to support policy, based on understanding Latino history

UnidosUS has partnered with the&nbsp;<a href="https://latino.ucla.edu/about/" target="_blank">Latino Politics &amp; Policy Institute</a>) at the University of California Los Angeles.

The institute’s motto is “there is no American agenda without a Latino agenda,” a statement that underscores the relevance of Latinos historically, by population, economic output and future projections as a young demographic.

Latinos are contributing nearly $4 trillion annually to the economy, said Rodrigo Domínguez-Villegas, director of research at the UCLA institute.

Yet Latinos hold only 12% of the nation’s household wealth while comprising nearly 20% of the population, he said.

“There’s a disconnect that reveals a system where Latino labor and entrepreneurship are fueling economic growth in the country, but the wealth that’s generated through Latino labor and entrepreneurship is held elsewhere,” he said.

Domínguez-Villegas is leading a project to find out why.

In a partnership with UnidosUS, the institute is completing an analysis of how public policy has shaped Latino wealth.

The economic mobility study will be released in October.

“We are telling the story of Latino communities across the country and what Latinos contribute, and also how Latinos struggle because of systemic and historical disadvantages,” he said.

Mattie Rhodes, one of the Kansas City-based UnidosUS affiliates, will release the Hispanic/Latino Equity Index for the Kansas City area’s Latino population during the convention on Aug. 4.

The report was developed with the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Center for Economic Information and the Urban League of Greater Kansas City.

It will highlight disparities in economic opportunity, health, education, social justice and civic engagement.

Similar local reports can be aided by another initiative at the UCLA institute, the&nbsp;<a href="https://latinodatahub.org/" target="_blank">Latino Data Hub.</a>

It’s an interactive platform to analyze conditions affecting Latinos nationwide, drawing from the 2023 American Community Survey of the U.S. Census.

An updated hub was released in mid-July. And tutorials on how to use the hub are ongoing.

“We have tried to build it in a way that is as intuitive as possible,” said Domínguez-Villegas, who will be attending the UnidosUs conference. “Our target audiences are, of course, policymakers, but also community-based organizations and the media.”

Information can be broken down nationally, by state or county and soon, by congressional districts.

Built into the platform are 130 indicators, with filters for people to search for detailed information such as homeownership, health care access and educational attainment. The information can be searched in English or Spanish.

The Latino Data Hub grew out of the COVID pandemic, when Latino communities were disproportionately impacted in terms of hospitalizations and deaths.

Policymakers were surprised and slow to react, said Domínguez-Villegas, because they hadn’t understood Latino health disparities and access to health care that predated the pandemic.

“Policymakers were like, ‘Oh, we didn’t have this data, so we didn’t understand really, how to incorporate that into the response,’” said Domínguez-Villegas.

Researchers, he said, vowed “never again.”

Strong data can help tell the stories of Latinos and build understanding of past struggles that have led to current inequities, while also addressing the demographic’s contributions. The goal is a more nuanced telling of the nation’s extremely diverse Latino communities.

Previous work between UnidosUS and the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy found deep gaps in the inclusion of Latinos in U.S. history curriculum.

The lack of accurate information undercuts awareness.

The buying power of the Hispanic market can be shown in telling stories of entrepreneurship and those who find prosperity by catering to the demographic, in all of its vast diversity.

A prime local example is the success of the El Mercado Fresco supermarkets, which began catering primarily to the Latino immigrant communities in northeast Kansas City about a decade ago.

The company’s ninth store opened July 17 in a former Big Lots at 7533 State Ave. in Kansas City, Kansas.

Hundreds of people, many of them Latino, gathered in the parking lot for the ribbon cutting and then formed a long line, patiently waiting to file into the store to shop as a mariachi band serenaded.

Carlos Gomez, president/CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, helped with the honors.

Gomez said the El Mercado groceries are successful, in part, because of the owner’s respectful relationship with the Latino community, giving back philanthropically and through hiring.

The owner, Eddie Musallet, said he sources products through a wide range of vendors to cater to the culinary preferences of many ethnicities, including Asian and African people.

Musallet said he’s conscientious of people’s budgets and tries to use local farmers for some products.

Packages of 30 eggs, locally sourced, were marked $6.99 at the State Avenue opening.

Soon, a group of leaders gathered outside the store, chatting as friends found one another&nbsp; in the crowd.

David Carranza, economic development director for the city of Grandview, Missouri, said that Latinos know how to “make something from nothing,” guided by entrepreneurial efforts and often working not only one, but two jobs.

Murguia echoed the sentiments of local leadership in her resolve to advocate and organize through current political and policy challenges.

Latinos, she said, are known for optimism and resilience, holding a deep belief in the promise of the nation and its ability to allow people to carve out their American Dream.

“If you fundamentally believe that about this country, you’re not going to give up, even in the most daunting times,” Murguia said. “We’re leaning into every bit of resilience and optimism in this moment.”

This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/08/04/mass-deportation-latino-civil-rights-kansas-city-unidosus/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/" target="_blank">Beacon: Kansas City</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754330127440.png" alt="Kansas state Rep. Susan Ruiz, a Democrat, addressed a crowd that gathered outside the Lenexa El Toro Loco Mexican Bar and Grill on July 30 after some of the employees were arrested earlier in the day by agents with Homeland Security (Mary Sanchez/The Beacon)." />
 <figcaption>Kansas state Rep. Susan Ruiz, a Democrat, addressed a crowd that gathered outside the Lenexa El Toro Loco Mexican Bar and Grill on July 30 after some of the employees were arrested earlier in the day by agents with Homeland Security (Mary Sanchez/The Beacon).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Leader of UnidosUS decries the humanitarian and economic damage of Trump administration’s immigration raids. ‘This is about our civil rights being destroyed’</h2>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/marysanchez/">Mary Sanchez</a>&nbsp;The economic power of the Latino population in the United States is as massive as it is misunderstood.Latinos contribute more than&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/us-latino-gdp-skyrockets-to-record-37-trillion-dollars" target="_blank">$3.7 trillion</a>&nbsp;annually to the economy, more than the gross domestic product of all but four countries in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.worldometers.info/gdp/gdp-by-country/" target="_blank">the world</a>.Latinos are the nation’s largest minority group with 64 million people.The vast majority, eight out of 10, are U.S. citizens.By 2030, one out of every three people entering the workforce will be Latino.But acknowledgement of&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/" target="_blank">those facts</a>&nbsp;is lacking,&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/publications/analyzing-inclusion-of-latino-contributions-in-us-history-curricula-for-high-school/" target="_blank">studies show</a>, especially among policymakers and politicians.The vacuum leaves space for false narratives to flourish.One example for the leader of the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization is the Trump administration’s inaccurate labeling of Latinos as criminals and outsiders who don’t contribute to the nation.“If we’re going to have an economy that really moves the country forward and sustains all of us, it has to include the Latino community from a demographics perspective,” said Janet Murguía.Murguía, a native of Kansas City, Kansas, is president and CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/" target="_blank">UnidosUS,</a>&nbsp;which is holding its annual conference in Kansas City Aug. 4-7.The conference opens days after nearly a dozen people were taken from their jobs at two Kansas El Toro Loco Mexican Bar and Grill locations in morning raids by Homeland Security Investigations, a unit of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.The detentions of the employees were filmed and witnessed by community members and sparked a protest later in the day.Videos show the employees as they were being taken from the restaurants in handcuffs and with chains around their waists. Food was left cooking at the Lenexa location and a handwritten note “Closed” was taped to the front door, which was left unlocked.Murguía is critical of some tactics that Homeland Security is using in its efforts to meet the administration’s goal of removing 3,000 undocumented immigrants daily.Increasingly, she said, what’s happening is unlawful and unconstitutional.“This is not about immigration,” Murguía said. “It’s about civil rights.”Negative narratives about Latinos that are unsubstantiated by data are being used to justify the actions, including some actions that shred due process, she said.UnidosUS is the umbrella organization for more than 300 affiliates spread across virtually every state. Three are in the Greater Kansas City area:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.elcentroinc.com/" target="_blank">El Centro</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://guadalupecenters.org/" target="_blank">Guadalupe Centers</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://mattierhodes.org/" target="_blank">Mattie Rhodes Center</a>.The nearly 60-year-old organization’s current strategy is three-pronged — to protect, defend and advance the Latino community.Murguía served in former President Bill Clinton’s administration and also once served as an executive vice chancellor at the University of Kansas.She said abuse of power and government overreach in immigration enforcement must be challenged.“We intend to do everything we can to provide the advocacy to push back against this and demand accountability in the courts and through the administration and in Congress,” Murguia said.Partnerships with&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/press-releases/national-latino-and-civil-rights-groups-denounce-federal-overreach-in-los-angeles-raids/" target="_blank">other civil rights organizations</a>&nbsp;will be key, she said, noting deep connections with the leadership of the National Urban League, the National Action Network and the Legal Defense Fund.“This is about our civil rights being destroyed,” she said. “Partners and allies can be really critically important in communicating that to the broader public and understanding that we’re all threatened in this country when actions happen.”<h2>‘There is no American agenda without a Latino agenda’&nbsp;</h2>UnidosUS is linking with some of the leading researchers in the nation.Documenting the social and economic impact of mass deportation will be crucial.<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/04/03/kansas-man-deported-after-visiting-grandfathers-grave-in-mexico/" target="_blank">Some immigrant families are of mixed status</a>, with at least one family member who might be undocumented and others who are not.Approximately&nbsp;<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/233150241700500101" target="_blank">6.6 million American citizens</a>, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fwd.us/news/mixed-status-families-1/" target="_blank">5.5 million U.S. children</a>&nbsp;— over 8% of all children in the U.S. — live in a household with at least one undocumented family member.A&nbsp;<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/233150241700500101" target="_blank">2017 study</a>&nbsp;predicted that removing one family member from every mixed-status household through deportation would drop the median income of those households by nearly 50%.The report was written with data compiled by the Center for Migration Studies of New York and published by the Journal on Migration and Human Security.“Removing undocumented residents from mixed-status households would reduce median household income from $41,300 to $22,000, a drop of $19,300, or 47%, which would plunge millions of US families into poverty,” the report noted.The ramifications on homeownership, businesses and taxes paid could be dramatic.If the U.S. removed all of its undocumented residents, “gross domestic product (GDP) would be reduced by 1.4% in the first year, and cumulative GDP would be reduced by $4.7 trillion over 10 years,” the report said.Updated data will be key to track not only the outcomes of current immigration policy but also the Trump administration’s recently approved budget bill. UnidosUS called it&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/press-releases/unidosus-statement-on-us-house-passage-of-harmful-federal-budget-bill/" target="_blank">“a stunning betrayal to working families, vulnerable communities and the American electorate who entrusted them with their votes”</a>&nbsp;due to its cuts to health programs and food assistance.Studies can also inform&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/events/understanding-systemic-racism-and-resulting-inequity-in-latino-communities/" target="_blank">a wide range of initiatives</a>&nbsp;that have long been the focus of UnidosUS: homeownership, educational attainment, health, voting rights and political empowerment.<h2>Data to support policy, based on understanding Latino history</h2>UnidosUS has partnered with the&nbsp;<a href="https://latino.ucla.edu/about/" target="_blank">Latino Politics &amp; Policy Institute</a>) at the University of California Los Angeles.The institute’s motto is “there is no American agenda without a Latino agenda,” a statement that underscores the relevance of Latinos historically, by population, economic output and future projections as a young demographic.Latinos are contributing nearly $4 trillion annually to the economy, said Rodrigo Domínguez-Villegas, director of research at the UCLA institute.Yet Latinos hold only 12% of the nation’s household wealth while comprising nearly 20% of the population, he said.“There’s a disconnect that reveals a system where Latino labor and entrepreneurship are fueling economic growth in the country, but the wealth that’s generated through Latino labor and entrepreneurship is held elsewhere,” he said.Domínguez-Villegas is leading a project to find out why.In a partnership with UnidosUS, the institute is completing an analysis of how public policy has shaped Latino wealth.The economic mobility study will be released in October.“We are telling the story of Latino communities across the country and what Latinos contribute, and also how Latinos struggle because of systemic and historical disadvantages,” he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754330083724.png" alt="A map of 304 UnidosUS affiliates in the United States. (Courtesy/UnidosUS)" />
 <figcaption>A map of 304 UnidosUS affiliates in the United States. (Courtesy/UnidosUS)</figcaption>
 </figure>Mattie Rhodes, one of the Kansas City-based UnidosUS affiliates, will release the Hispanic/Latino Equity Index for the Kansas City area’s Latino population during the convention on Aug. 4.The report was developed with the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Center for Economic Information and the Urban League of Greater Kansas City.It will highlight disparities in economic opportunity, health, education, social justice and civic engagement.Similar local reports can be aided by another initiative at the UCLA institute, the&nbsp;<a href="https://latinodatahub.org/" target="_blank">Latino Data Hub.</a>It’s an interactive platform to analyze conditions affecting Latinos nationwide, drawing from the 2023 American Community Survey of the U.S. Census.An updated hub was released in mid-July. And tutorials on how to use the hub are ongoing.“We have tried to build it in a way that is as intuitive as possible,” said Domínguez-Villegas, who will be attending the UnidosUs conference. “Our target audiences are, of course, policymakers, but also community-based organizations and the media.”Information can be broken down nationally, by state or county and soon, by congressional districts.Built into the platform are 130 indicators, with filters for people to search for detailed information such as homeownership, health care access and educational attainment. The information can be searched in English or Spanish.The Latino Data Hub grew out of the COVID pandemic, when Latino communities were disproportionately impacted in terms of hospitalizations and deaths.Policymakers were surprised and slow to react, said Domínguez-Villegas, because they hadn’t understood Latino health disparities and access to health care that predated the pandemic.“Policymakers were like, ‘Oh, we didn’t have this data, so we didn’t understand really, how to incorporate that into the response,’” said Domínguez-Villegas.Researchers, he said, vowed “never again.”Strong data can help tell the stories of Latinos and build understanding of past struggles that have led to current inequities, while also addressing the demographic’s contributions. The goal is a more nuanced telling of the nation’s extremely diverse Latino communities.<h2>Sharing the American Dream</h2>Previous work between UnidosUS and the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy found deep gaps in the inclusion of Latinos in U.S. history curriculum.The lack of accurate information undercuts awareness.The buying power of the Hispanic market can be shown in telling stories of entrepreneurship and those who find prosperity by catering to the demographic, in all of its vast diversity.A prime local example is the success of the El Mercado Fresco supermarkets, which began catering primarily to the Latino immigrant communities in northeast Kansas City about a decade ago.The company’s ninth store opened July 17 in a former Big Lots at 7533 State Ave. in Kansas City, Kansas.Hundreds of people, many of them Latino, gathered in the parking lot for the ribbon cutting and then formed a long line, patiently waiting to file into the store to shop as a mariachi band serenaded.Carlos Gomez, president/CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, helped with the honors.Gomez said the El Mercado groceries are successful, in part, because of the owner’s respectful relationship with the Latino community, giving back philanthropically and through hiring.The owner, Eddie Musallet, said he sources products through a wide range of vendors to cater to the culinary preferences of many ethnicities, including Asian and African people.Musallet said he’s conscientious of people’s budgets and tries to use local farmers for some products.Packages of 30 eggs, locally sourced, were marked $6.99 at the State Avenue opening.Soon, a group of leaders gathered outside the store, chatting as friends found one another&nbsp; in the crowd.David Carranza, economic development director for the city of Grandview, Missouri, said that Latinos know how to “make something from nothing,” guided by entrepreneurial efforts and often working not only one, but two jobs.“We’re survivors,” Carranza said.Murguia echoed the sentiments of local leadership in her resolve to advocate and organize through current political and policy challenges.Latinos, she said, are known for optimism and resilience, holding a deep belief in the promise of the nation and its ability to allow people to carve out their American Dream.“If you fundamentally believe that about this country, you’re not going to give up, even in the most daunting times,” Murguia said. “We’re leaning into every bit of resilience and optimism in this moment.”This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/08/04/mass-deportation-latino-civil-rights-kansas-city-unidosus/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/" target="_blank">Beacon: Kansas City</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.

Nation’s largest Latino civil rights organization meets in KC against backdrop of mass deportations

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —A funeral for Sheriff's Deputy Elijah Ming, who was killed in the line of duty on July 26 will be held Monday, August 11, at Children's Mercy Park, according to a statement from the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office.

The service is open to the public and will begin at 11:00 a.m. 

Parking lots will open at 9:00 a.m., and the stadium gates will open at 10:00 a.m. There will be a Law Enforcement Processional immediately following the service; route details will be announced.

"We are so overwhelmed by the love of our community; we could not be more thankful for our lovely Wyandotte County," the sheriff's office wrote on their social media page.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753612145888.png" alt="Deputy Elijah Ming-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Deputy Elijah Ming-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —A funeral for Sheriff's Deputy Elijah Ming, who was killed in the line of duty on July 26 will be held Monday, August 11, at Children's Mercy Park, according to a statement from the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office.The service is open to the public and will begin at 11:00 a.m. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754356046097.jpeg" alt="Photo Wyandotte Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Wyandotte Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Parking lots will open at 9:00 a.m., and the stadium gates will open at 10:00 a.m. There will be a Law Enforcement Processional immediately following the service; route details will be announced."We are so overwhelmed by the love of our community; we could not be more thankful for our lovely Wyandotte County," the sheriff's office wrote on their social media page.

Funeral services announced for fallen Kansas deputy

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man facing charges for the fatal shooting of his mother's boyfriend that took place near East 18th Street and Benton Boulevard on August 26 in Kansas City, Missouri, is being held in Wyandotte County, Kansas, according to online jail records.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2692/Burks-REDACT-COMP">Lee Burks</a>, 30.&nbsp;faces 2nd Degree Murder, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, Discharge/Shoot Firearm at or from Motor Vehicle/Shoot at Person, Another Motor Vehicle, Or Building, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2691/Burks-REDACT-PC">Click here to read the probable cause statement.</a>

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2691/Burks-REDACT-PC">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to an area near East 18th Street and Benton Boulevard on July 27 and located the victim, identified in the probably cause statement as the boyfriend of Burk's mother, lying on the ground with severe trauma to the head and body. He was confirmed deceased at the scene.&nbsp;

Detectives reviewed surveillance footage from a nearby gas station, which showed a black vehicle arriving and parking at the gas station. A male, later identified as the defendant, exited the vehicle and entered the gas station. He walked around the store and left a short time later. Another camera angle showed the victim falling down the hill near the gas station. The defendant can then be seen walking up to him and firing multiple rounds at the victim, then fleeing. &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754341286353.png" alt="Burks -photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Burks -photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man facing charges for the fatal shooting of his mother's boyfriend that took place near East 18th Street and Benton Boulevard on August 26 in Kansas City, Missouri, is being held in Wyandotte County, Kansas, according to online jail records.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2692/Burks-REDACT-COMP">Lee Burks</a>, 30.&nbsp;faces 2nd Degree Murder, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, Discharge/Shoot Firearm at or from Motor Vehicle/Shoot at Person, Another Motor Vehicle, Or Building, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2691/Burks-REDACT-PC">Click here to read the probable cause statement.</a><a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2691/Burks-REDACT-PC">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to an area near East 18th Street and Benton Boulevard on July 27 and located the victim, identified in the probably cause statement as the boyfriend of Burk's mother, lying on the ground with severe trauma to the head and body. He was confirmed deceased at the scene.&nbsp;Detectives reviewed surveillance footage from a nearby gas station, which showed a black vehicle arriving and parking at the gas station. A male, later identified as the defendant, exited the vehicle and entered the gas station. He walked around the store and left a short time later. Another camera angle showed the victim falling down the hill near the gas station. The defendant can then be seen walking up to him and firing multiple rounds at the victim, then fleeing. &nbsp;

Man accused of killing mother's boyfriend is jailed in Kansas

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a shooting that sent a woman to the hospital over the. weekend in Lawrence.

Just before midnight on Saturday, a&nbsp;woman with a gunshot wound showed up at the hospital, according to a social media report from Lawrence Police.

 The person who drove her left the car and took off on foot. Responding officers got a description of the man and quickly spotted him in Clinton Park,  where he again took off.  After a short foot chase, he was safely taken into custody in a parking lot near 6th and Maine.

The female victim was shot in the arm.  Her injuries were not life-threatening. Detectives with LKPD’s Investigations Unit were called in to talk to the man and try to piece together events that led up to the shooting. Police released no additional details including possible charges in the case.

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a shooting that sent a woman to the hospital over the. weekend in Lawrence.Just before midnight on Saturday, a&nbsp;woman with a gunshot wound showed up at the hospital, according to a social media report from Lawrence Police. The person who drove her left the car and took off on foot. Responding officers got a description of the man and quickly spotted him in Clinton Park, where he again took off. After a short foot chase, he was safely taken into custody in a parking lot near 6th and Maine.The female victim was shot in the arm. Her injuries were not life-threatening. Detectives with LKPD’s Investigations Unit were called in to talk to the man and try to piece together events that led up to the shooting. Police released no additional details including possible charges in the case.

Police: Woman with gunshot wound dropped off at Kansas hospital

JOHNSON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 8:30a.m. Monday in Johnson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Sterling Dump Truck driven by Leslie L.&nbsp;Kendig, 68,&nbsp; Osawatomie, was northbound on Kansas 7 just south of College Boulevard in lane #2.&nbsp; The dump truck drifted into lane #1 and struck a trailer pulled by a Ford F350.&nbsp; The dump truck driver overcorrected to the right, entered the ditch and rolled.

Kendig was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the KHP. The pickup driver identified as Patrick E. Clement, 52, Lane, Kansas, was not injured. Both drivers were&nbsp;properly restrained, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754330967759.png" alt="View near the crash scene -image KC Scout camera" />
 <figcaption>View near the crash scene -image KC Scout camera</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 8:30a.m. Monday in Johnson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Sterling Dump Truck driven by Leslie L.&nbsp;Kendig, 68,&nbsp; Osawatomie, was northbound on Kansas 7 just south of College Boulevard in lane #2.&nbsp; The dump truck drifted into lane #1 and struck a trailer pulled by a Ford F350.&nbsp; The dump truck driver overcorrected to the right, entered the ditch and rolled.Kendig was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the KHP. The pickup driver identified as Patrick E. Clement, 52, Lane, Kansas, was not injured. Both drivers were&nbsp;properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas man killed after dump truck overturns

President Trump, misspelled Sweeney’s first name. He said it was “the HOTTEST ad out there.”

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;She&#39;s a registered Republican? Oh, now I love her ad. Is that right? You&#39;d be surprised at how many people are Republicans. That&#39;s one I wouldn&#39;t have known, but I&#39;m glad you told me that. If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic.&quot; - Pres. Trump <a href="https://t.co/l4BA1sRe70">pic.twitter.com/l4BA1sRe70</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1952345996584759451?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>President Trump, misspelled Sweeney’s first name. He said it was “the HOTTEST ad out there.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Trump on Sidney Sweeney <a href="https://t.co/Or1m3DAR9q">pic.twitter.com/Or1m3DAR9q</a>&mdash; Diana Nerozzi (@diana_nerozzi) <a href="https://twitter.com/diana_nerozzi/status/1952368664575098985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥President Trump comments on Sydney Sweeney's jeans ad 

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a theft from the Farmer's Market in Manhattan.

Just before 10a.m. on Friday, officers filed a report for theft in the 200 block of Poyntz Avenue in Manhattan, according to the Riley Police Department activity report.. 

The Downtown Farmer’s Market of Manhattan reported a 46-year-old woman took money. The estimated total loss with this case is approximately $6,000.&nbsp; The RCPD released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754322068838.png" alt="Photo courtesy Farmer's Market of Manhattan" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Farmer's Market of Manhattan</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a theft from the Farmer's Market in Manhattan.Just before 10a.m. on Friday, officers filed a report for theft in the 200 block of Poyntz Avenue in Manhattan, according to the Riley Police Department activity report.. The Downtown Farmer’s Market of Manhattan reported a 46-year-old woman took money. The estimated total loss with this case is approximately $6,000.&nbsp; The RCPD released no additional details.

Police: Woman accused of theft of cash from Farmer's Market

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 30-year-old&nbsp;Rahmalle Ceasar, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Just before 7p.m. Saturday, patrol officers were dispatched to 53rd and Prospect in Kansas City, Missouri, on a reported shooting with a victim down in a parking lot, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

As officers arrived they were directed to a convenience store on Prospect. There officers located Ceasar in the parking lot suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. 

Police officers began performing lifesaving measures and summoned medical personnel to the scene. KCFD medics pronounced him deceased at the scene. This is being investigated as a homicide. There is no one in custody.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754225807663.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 30-year-old&nbsp;Rahmalle Ceasar, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.Just before 7p.m. Saturday, patrol officers were dispatched to 53rd and Prospect in Kansas City, Missouri, on a reported shooting with a victim down in a parking lot, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.As officers arrived they were directed to a convenience store on Prospect. There officers located Ceasar in the parking lot suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Police officers began performing lifesaving measures and summoned medical personnel to the scene. KCFD medics pronounced him deceased at the scene. This is being investigated as a homicide. There is no one in custody.&nbsp;

Homicide: Police found shooting victim in KC store parking lot

WASHINGTON&nbsp;- U.S. Senator Jerry Moran — the chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation&nbsp; released the following statement after the conclusion of the National Transportation Safety Board’s three-day investigative hearing into the January 29 midair collision between American Airlines flight 5342 and an Army Blackhawk helicopter.

“Six months after the tragic crash near DCA, the NTSB laid out a series of failures it has uncovered so far in its investigation of the tragedy that claimed 67 lives, including Kansans. While there is no single factor that led to the crash on January 29, it is alarming that FAA failed to act on years of data and near misses indicating serious problems with the design of the mixed airspace around DCA. The FAA blamed their inaction on bureaucracy but did not take action to try and alleviate the bureaucratic roadblocks within the agency. That is no excuse.&nbsp;

“The NTSB uncovered long-term staffing issues at the control tower that were compounded by a culture of distrust among DCA air traffic controllers and a toleration for unacceptable risks; found inaccurate altitude readings on the helicopter; and discovered the ADS-B Out technology was not transmitting on the Blackhawk likely due to faulty equipment that the Army failed to identify and has now been found to be an issue on numerous other Army helicopters as well.

“I commend Chair Homendy on her thorough investigation into this crash and her dedication in bringing to light the failures in our airspace. Despite numerous warnings signs of serious problems over the last several years, little was done to try and correct them, and these failures by the FAA, the Army and air traffic control cost 67 lives. I know the last few days have been painful for the families of the victims, and I assure them that Congress will not let these failures go unanswered. We cannot undo the tragic loss of life, but we can work to make certain it never happens again.”

Congressional Action since January 29:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753879190797.png" alt="Photo NTSB" />
 <figcaption>Photo NTSB</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp;- U.S. Senator Jerry Moran — the chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation&nbsp; released the following statement after the conclusion of the National Transportation Safety Board’s three-day investigative hearing into the January 29 midair collision between American Airlines flight 5342 and an Army Blackhawk helicopter.“Six months after the tragic crash near DCA, the NTSB laid out a series of failures it has uncovered so far in its investigation of the tragedy that claimed 67 lives, including Kansans. While there is no single factor that led to the crash on January 29, it is alarming that FAA failed to act on years of data and near misses indicating serious problems with the design of the mixed airspace around DCA. The FAA blamed their inaction on bureaucracy but did not take action to try and alleviate the bureaucratic roadblocks within the agency. That is no excuse.&nbsp;“The NTSB uncovered long-term staffing issues at the control tower that were compounded by a culture of distrust among DCA air traffic controllers and a toleration for unacceptable risks; found inaccurate altitude readings on the helicopter; and discovered the ADS-B Out technology was not transmitting on the Blackhawk likely due to faulty equipment that the Army failed to identify and has now been found to be an issue on numerous other Army helicopters as well.“I commend Chair Homendy on her thorough investigation into this crash and her dedication in bringing to light the failures in our airspace. Despite numerous warnings signs of serious problems over the last several years, little was done to try and correct them, and these failures by the FAA, the Army and air traffic control cost 67 lives. I know the last few days have been painful for the families of the victims, and I assure them that Congress will not let these failures go unanswered. We cannot undo the tragic loss of life, but we can work to make certain it never happens again.”Congressional Action since January 29:<ol>
 <li>Feb. 5: Sen. Moran and Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.)&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=36B2737E-26E4-4733-B6F8-7F261A2C9E5D">call on the FAA</a>&nbsp;to restrict non-essential helicopter operations near DCA.</li><li>March 13: Sen. Moran and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas)&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=D7323088-98D9-4B35-B4B1-B81D3ACF22EF">press the Army</a>&nbsp;to answer questions regarding the Army’s role in the midair collision on January 29th.</li><li>March 27: The Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=6B0933F9-6B02-480A-8A70-4531D0A64811">holds a hearing</a>&nbsp;on the January 29 midair collision.</li><li>May 14: Sen. Moran&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=91FECE28-4241-4A97-95BB-04F909559D70">questions FAA officials</a>&nbsp;on the lack of response on near-miss data aggregated in their databases during a Commerce hearing.</li><li>May 16: Sen. Moran&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=2544D35B-93DD-451F-BE67-FFC08F210110">introduces legislation</a>&nbsp;to require all aircraft in high-volume airspace to use ADS-B technology.</li><li>May 16: Sen. Moran&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=FDD6F2AB-4D3D-4A08-B9F8-C5AB3E95642B">questions Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy</a>&nbsp;during a hearing on current restrictions around DCA.</li><li>June 10: Senators&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=127DC1B6-DEB8-4C86-9250-76EB2BBA3F76">call for audits</a>&nbsp;into the Department of Transportation and the Army’s response to the midair collision.</li><li>June 11: Sen. Moran leads a briefing with NTSB, FAA and Army on additional near collisions that occurred between an Army helicopter and two commercial aircraft in April after the crash.</li><li>June 12: Sen. Moran&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=C5E084BC-BBFB-47C3-9954-0759B6533257">questions Defense Secretary Pete&nbsp;Hegseth</a>&nbsp;on the use of ADS-B technology in military aircraft.</li><li>July 29: Sen. Moran joins his colleagues in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=63BE7B2D-8F4D-4467-AF88-1CA2D46F24A2">introducing the ROTOR Act</a>&nbsp;to require the use of location technology in high-volume airspace and initiate a review of flight routes near DC and an Inspector General’s audit of the Army’s aviation practices.</li>
 </ol>

Kan. U.S. Senator's statement on NTSB hearing on fatal DCA midair collision 

ST.&nbsp;LOUIS– Approximately 3,200 highly-skilled IAM Union members at Boeing facilities in St. Louis, St. Charles, Mo., and Mascoutah, Ill. voted on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025 to reject a modified four-year labor agreement with Boeing, according to a media release from the union.

This vote follows members’<a href="https://www.goiam.org/news/iam-district-837-members-in-st-louis-vote-to-reject-boeing-defense-contract/">&nbsp;overwhelming rejection</a>&nbsp;of Boeing’s earlier proposal on Sunday, July 27. A strike will begin at midnight on Monday, Aug 4.

“IAM District 837 members have spoken loud and clear, they deserve a contract that reflects their skill, dedication, and the critical role they play in our nation’s defense,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;IAM District 837 Directing Business Representative Tom Boelling. “We stand shoulder to shoulder with these working families as they fight for fairness and respect on the job.”

“Our union is built on democracy, and our members have every right to demand a contract worthy of their contributions,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;IAM International President Brian Bryant.&nbsp;“We will be there on the picket lines, ensuring Boeing hears the collective power of working people.”

“IAM District 837 members build the aircraft and defense systems that keep our country safe,”&nbsp;said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “They deserve nothing less than a contract that keeps their families secure and recognizes their unmatched expertise.”

“Solidarity is our strength. This vote shows that when workers stand together, they can push back against corporate greed and fight for a better future for themselves and their families,”&nbsp;said IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett.&nbsp;“We are proud to back our members every step of the way.”

IAM Members assemble and maintain advanced aircraft and weapons systems, including the F-15, F/A-18, and cutting-edge missile and defense technologies. Their work plays a vital role in safeguarding national security and supporting U.S. and allied defense operations.

The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across the United States and Canada.

ST.&nbsp;LOUIS– Approximately 3,200 highly-skilled IAM Union members at Boeing facilities in St. Louis, St. Charles, Mo., and Mascoutah, Ill. voted on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025 to reject a modified four-year labor agreement with Boeing, according to a media release from the union.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 STRIKE ALERT: 3,200 highly-skilled IAM Union members at Boeing went on strike at midnight because enough is enough. This is about respect and dignity, not empty promises. <a href="https://t.co/2mRlPkmOMm">https://t.co/2mRlPkmOMm</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UnionStrong?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UnionStrong</a>&mdash; IAM Union (@IAM_Union) <a href="https://twitter.com/IAM_Union/status/1952244162931155295?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>This vote follows members’<a href="https://www.goiam.org/news/iam-district-837-members-in-st-louis-vote-to-reject-boeing-defense-contract/">&nbsp;overwhelming rejection</a>&nbsp;of Boeing’s earlier proposal on Sunday, July 27. A strike will begin at midnight on Monday, Aug 4.“IAM District 837 members have spoken loud and clear, they deserve a contract that reflects their skill, dedication, and the critical role they play in our nation’s defense,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;IAM District 837 Directing Business Representative Tom Boelling. “We stand shoulder to shoulder with these working families as they fight for fairness and respect on the job.”“Our union is built on democracy, and our members have every right to demand a contract worthy of their contributions,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;IAM International President Brian Bryant.&nbsp;“We will be there on the picket lines, ensuring Boeing hears the collective power of working people.”“IAM District 837 members build the aircraft and defense systems that keep our country safe,”&nbsp;said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “They deserve nothing less than a contract that keeps their families secure and recognizes their unmatched expertise.”“Solidarity is our strength. This vote shows that when workers stand together, they can push back against corporate greed and fight for a better future for themselves and their families,”&nbsp;said IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett.&nbsp;“We are proud to back our members every step of the way.”IAM Members assemble and maintain advanced aircraft and weapons systems, including the F-15, F/A-18, and cutting-edge missile and defense technologies. Their work plays a vital role in safeguarding national security and supporting U.S. and allied defense operations.The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across the United States and Canada.

Boeing workers who build fighter jets go on strike

KANSAS CITY — A Kansas City woman has been found a guilty of embezzlement, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

“We are proud of last week’s conviction, which is exactly the kind of justice our community deserves,”&nbsp;said Prosecutor Johnson. “In this case, the defendant abused their position of trust to steal from their employer. We will never tolerate these kinds of crimes and pursuing anyone who preys on businesses, whether from the outside or within, remains one of our top priorities.”

During a jury trial,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2690/JUDGMENT---State-v-Kristen-Cannon_FINAL">Kristen Cannon was convicted</a>&nbsp;of one count of Stealing - $750 or more. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 23. Cannon faces up to seven years in prison.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2689/Kristen-Cannon-PC-Statement_Redacted">According to court records</a>, Cannon was employed at a business between the dates of May 1, 2022, and July 31, 2023, and had access to business finances. The business owner told detectives that the defendant had used the business card for more than $18,000 in personal expenses not related to the business.&nbsp;

KANSAS CITY — A Kansas City woman has been found a guilty of embezzlement, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.“We are proud of last week’s conviction, which is exactly the kind of justice our community deserves,”&nbsp;said Prosecutor Johnson. “In this case, the defendant abused their position of trust to steal from their employer. We will never tolerate these kinds of crimes and pursuing anyone who preys on businesses, whether from the outside or within, remains one of our top priorities.”During a jury trial,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2690/JUDGMENT---State-v-Kristen-Cannon_FINAL">Kristen Cannon was convicted</a>&nbsp;of one count of Stealing - $750 or more. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 23. Cannon faces up to seven years in prison.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753806938329.png" alt="Court record from the Jackson Co. Prosecutor's office" />
 <figcaption>Court record from the Jackson Co. Prosecutor's office</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2689/Kristen-Cannon-PC-Statement_Redacted">According to court records</a>, Cannon was employed at a business between the dates of May 1, 2022, and July 31, 2023, and had access to business finances. The business owner told detectives that the defendant had used the business card for more than $18,000 in personal expenses not related to the business.&nbsp;

Embezzlement: KC woman paid her taxes with company credit card

While the crypto machines can be used for legitimate reasons, they’ve become favored by scammers.

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/khardy/">Kevin Hardy</a>

They may resemble other ATMs, but officials are increasingly warning about the potential for fraud with the expanding fleet of cryptocurrency ATMs popping up across the country.

The National Consumers League says the largely unregulated machines have become&nbsp;<a href="https://nclnet.org/ncl-supports-new-legislation-to-combat-crypto-atm-fraud/" target="_blank">favored by scammers</a>&nbsp;for their anonymity and irreversibility — once a user transfers or deposits funds, that money is essentially gone.

While officials say the machines can be used for legitimate purposes, red and blue states are increasingly imposing new regulations to protect consumers: AARP says 11 states have recently passed new laws or regulations of the machines.

“In state after state, AARP found lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and local law enforcement eager to work on commonsense rules that balance innovation and consumer safety,” Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s executive vice president and chief advocacy and engagement officer, said in a news release.

Last year, the FBI reported nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/AnnualReport/Reports/2024_IC3Report.pdf" target="_blank">11,000 complaints</a>&nbsp;of cryptocurrency ATM fraud. Those cases disproportionately affected older Americans and cost victims $246.7 million.

<a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/cryptocurrency" target="_blank">Cryptocurrencies</a>&nbsp;are digital assets, including bitcoin, that offer an alternative payment or method without control of a central bank or government like other currencies.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en-us/posts/investigation-fraud-and-risk/cryptocurrency-atms/" target="_blank">Crypto ATMs</a>, sometimes called crypto kiosks, allow users to insert cash or use debit cards to convert currencies such as U.S. dollars into cryptocurrencies.

The Federal Trade Commission says crypto ATM scams&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/09/scammers-use-bitcoin-atms-steal-your-money" target="_blank">often start&nbsp;</a>with a call or text message warning of a supposed problem, such as unauthorized bank charges or suspicious activity on an Amazon account.

The FTC says consumers should contact banks or other institutions directly about any account issues. And it warns consumers not to believe anyone who says they must use a crypto ATM to address a financial problem.

“Real businesses and government agencies will never do that — anyone who does is a scammer,” the agency said.

After signing a bill with new regulations, Nebraska Republican Gov. Jim Pillen was clear that the state would continue to welcome cryptocurrency businesses as it aims to become a hub for the industry.

The Nebraska law requires ATM operators to acquire state licensure, warn customers of the potential for criminal exploitation and take “reasonable steps to detect and prevent fraud.” The law also limits transactions to $2,000 per day for new customers and $10,500 for existing customers, and requires operators to issue refunds for properly reported fraudulent transactions.

At least&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncsl.org/financial-services/cryptocurrency-digital-or-virtual-currency-and-digital-assets-2025-legislation" target="_blank">40 states</a>&nbsp;have introduced legislation regarding cryptocurrency, digital or virtual currencies and other digital assets in the 2025 legislative session, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Those measures include ATM regulations, prohibiting the use of digital currencies by governments and allowing state investment in digital assets.

Federal lawmakers are also taking action on the issue. The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives declared the week of July 14&nbsp;<a href="https://financialservices.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=410793" target="_blank">“Crypto Week,”</a>&nbsp;when lawmakers considered several pieces of legislation.

At the end of that week, President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-signs-genius-act-crypto-bill/" target="_blank">signed</a>&nbsp;into law the GENIUS Act, the first major law governing digital currency. It establishes a regulatory framework for the industry.

Trump hopes the bill will instill confidence in the industry that spent heavily to strengthen its legitimacy and political might, The Associated Press&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-stablecoins-congress-cryptocurrency-94fa3c85e32ec6fd5a55576cf46e58ea" target="_blank">reported</a>.

“This signing is a massive validation of your hard work and your pioneering spirit,” the president told crypto executives.

In state legislatures, new bills regulating crypto ATMS have enjoyed bipartisan support. AARP tracking shows new bills have been approved in Arkansas, Iowa and Oklahoma, as well as in more liberal states such as Maryland and Vermont.

In May, Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs&nbsp;<a href="https://azgovernor.gov/office-arizona-governor/news/2025/05/governor-katie-hobbs-legislative-action-update-2" target="_blank">signed</a>&nbsp;Republican-sponsored&nbsp;<a href="https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/1r/bills/hb2387h.htm" target="_blank">legislation</a>&nbsp;that sets daily transaction limits and mandates crypto ATM operators provide customers certain disclosures and warnings.

The legislation followed local news coverage of at least<a href="https://www.azfamily.com/2025/02/07/new-warning-after-arizonans-lose-millions-bitcoin-atm-scams/" target="_blank">&nbsp;two dozen crypto scams</a>, including one that cost an Arizonan $28,000.

Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:khardy@stateline.org">khardy@stateline.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753716326941.png" alt="Image courtesy Bitcoin Depot" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Bitcoin Depot</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>While the crypto machines can be used for legitimate reasons, they’ve become favored by scammers.</h2>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/khardy/">Kevin Hardy</a>They may resemble other ATMs, but officials are increasingly warning about the potential for fraud with the expanding fleet of cryptocurrency ATMs popping up across the country.The National Consumers League says the largely unregulated machines have become&nbsp;<a href="https://nclnet.org/ncl-supports-new-legislation-to-combat-crypto-atm-fraud/" target="_blank">favored by scammers</a>&nbsp;for their anonymity and irreversibility — once a user transfers or deposits funds, that money is essentially gone.While officials say the machines can be used for legitimate purposes, red and blue states are increasingly imposing new regulations to protect consumers: AARP says 11 states have recently passed new laws or regulations of the machines.“In state after state, AARP found lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and local law enforcement eager to work on commonsense rules that balance innovation and consumer safety,” Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s executive vice president and chief advocacy and engagement officer, said in a news release.Last year, the FBI reported nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/AnnualReport/Reports/2024_IC3Report.pdf" target="_blank">11,000 complaints</a>&nbsp;of cryptocurrency ATM fraud. Those cases disproportionately affected older Americans and cost victims $246.7 million.<a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/cryptocurrency" target="_blank">Cryptocurrencies</a>&nbsp;are digital assets, including bitcoin, that offer an alternative payment or method without control of a central bank or government like other currencies.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en-us/posts/investigation-fraud-and-risk/cryptocurrency-atms/" target="_blank">Crypto ATMs</a>, sometimes called crypto kiosks, allow users to insert cash or use debit cards to convert currencies such as U.S. dollars into cryptocurrencies.The Federal Trade Commission says crypto ATM scams&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/09/scammers-use-bitcoin-atms-steal-your-money" target="_blank">often start&nbsp;</a>with a call or text message warning of a supposed problem, such as unauthorized bank charges or suspicious activity on an Amazon account.The FTC says consumers should contact banks or other institutions directly about any account issues. And it warns consumers not to believe anyone who says they must use a crypto ATM to address a financial problem.“Real businesses and government agencies will never do that — anyone who does is a scammer,” the agency said.After signing a bill with new regulations, Nebraska Republican Gov. Jim Pillen was clear that the state would continue to welcome cryptocurrency businesses as it aims to become a hub for the industry.The Nebraska law requires ATM operators to acquire state licensure, warn customers of the potential for criminal exploitation and take “reasonable steps to detect and prevent fraud.” The law also limits transactions to $2,000 per day for new customers and $10,500 for existing customers, and requires operators to issue refunds for properly reported fraudulent transactions.At least&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncsl.org/financial-services/cryptocurrency-digital-or-virtual-currency-and-digital-assets-2025-legislation" target="_blank">40 states</a>&nbsp;have introduced legislation regarding cryptocurrency, digital or virtual currencies and other digital assets in the 2025 legislative session, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Those measures include ATM regulations, prohibiting the use of digital currencies by governments and allowing state investment in digital assets.Federal lawmakers are also taking action on the issue. The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives declared the week of July 14&nbsp;<a href="https://financialservices.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=410793" target="_blank">“Crypto Week,”</a>&nbsp;when lawmakers considered several pieces of legislation.At the end of that week, President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-signs-genius-act-crypto-bill/" target="_blank">signed</a>&nbsp;into law the GENIUS Act, the first major law governing digital currency. It establishes a regulatory framework for the industry.Trump hopes the bill will instill confidence in the industry that spent heavily to strengthen its legitimacy and political might, The Associated Press&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-stablecoins-congress-cryptocurrency-94fa3c85e32ec6fd5a55576cf46e58ea" target="_blank">reported</a>.“This signing is a massive validation of your hard work and your pioneering spirit,” the president told crypto executives.In state legislatures, new bills regulating crypto ATMS have enjoyed bipartisan support. AARP tracking shows new bills have been approved in Arkansas, Iowa and Oklahoma, as well as in more liberal states such as Maryland and Vermont.In May, Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs&nbsp;<a href="https://azgovernor.gov/office-arizona-governor/news/2025/05/governor-katie-hobbs-legislative-action-update-2" target="_blank">signed</a>&nbsp;Republican-sponsored&nbsp;<a href="https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/1r/bills/hb2387h.htm" target="_blank">legislation</a>&nbsp;that sets daily transaction limits and mandates crypto ATM operators provide customers certain disclosures and warnings.The legislation followed local news coverage of at least<a href="https://www.azfamily.com/2025/02/07/new-warning-after-arizonans-lose-millions-bitcoin-atm-scams/" target="_blank">&nbsp;two dozen crypto scams</a>, including one that cost an Arizonan $28,000.Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:khardy@stateline.org">khardy@stateline.org</a>.

Citing potential for fraud, blue and red states pass new crypto ATM laws

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Problems linger in a Kansas federal prison holding immigrant detainees, even after altering some practices that a coalition of lawyers, civil rights groups and advocates revealed were harmful to those inside.

The Federal Correction Institution at Leavenworth is one of two places in Kansas where Immigration and Customs Enforcement can detain people long term, and the coalition wrote to the prison warden in June about&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/06/06/immigrants-detained-in-leavenworth-federal-prison-live-in-squalor-without-sunlight-letters-claim/">unsanitary, inequitable and unhealthy conditions</a>.&nbsp;

Warden Crystal Carter wrote in a June 20 response letter that the prison had eliminated medical fees, added law library resources that ICE failed to provide, implemented new recreation hours and expanded Spanish-language communications.

But concerns about lockdowns and adequate phone call time remain, said Kyle Virgien, a senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union’s National Prison Project.

“We see a lot of problems across ICE’s detention network,” Virgien said. “Detention is difficult. It rips people from their communities. It isolates them from their families. This is a constant.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754061661114.png" alt=" Leavenworth Federal Correctional Institution, pictured here in 2023, is the subject of criticism from civil rights groups and immigration attorneys who say conditions for immigrants inside are inhumane. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Leavenworth Federal Correctional Institution, pictured here in 2023, is the subject of criticism from civil rights groups and immigration attorneys who say conditions for immigrants inside are inhumane. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Problems linger in a Kansas federal prison holding immigrant detainees, even after altering some practices that a coalition of lawyers, civil rights groups and advocates revealed were harmful to those inside.The Federal Correction Institution at Leavenworth is one of two places in Kansas where Immigration and Customs Enforcement can detain people long term, and the coalition wrote to the prison warden in June about&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/06/06/immigrants-detained-in-leavenworth-federal-prison-live-in-squalor-without-sunlight-letters-claim/">unsanitary, inequitable and unhealthy conditions</a>.&nbsp;Warden Crystal Carter wrote in a June 20 response letter that the prison had eliminated medical fees, added law library resources that ICE failed to provide, implemented new recreation hours and expanded Spanish-language communications.But concerns about lockdowns and adequate phone call time remain, said Kyle Virgien, a senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union’s National Prison Project.“We see a lot of problems across ICE’s detention network,” Virgien said. “Detention is difficult. It rips people from their communities. It isolates them from their families. This is a constant.”Virgien began speaking with people inside Leavenworth in April and continues to monitor conditions.What he heard was troubling, he said.The coalition wrote in a pair of letters in May that detained immigrants faced unsanitary and crowded living quarters, extended lockdowns, delayed and costly medical treatment, restricted contact with their families, and no access to religious services.Some had attempted suicide, the letter said.Carter, the warden, said things have changed.After reviewing its procedures, the prison eliminated a $2 fee that people in ICE custody were charged for certain health visits. Staff were told to stop those charges and reverse all previous ones. To boost access for medical services, the prison created request slips written in Spanish for ICE detainees, Carter said. However, it is unclear how quickly officials respond to Spanish medical requests.&nbsp;Carter said capacity concerns did not exist at the time of writing, and, according to the coalition, people inside have said what once were crowded cells have become less so.&nbsp;According to July data from ICE, estimating average daily populations from the past year, about 35 people are held daily in Leavenworth for immigration reasons. Most pose little to no threat, according to ICE threat level classifications. On average, around 21 people were associated with criminal cases, and 12 were not. All are male and stay an average of 25 days.During those 25 days, people in ICE custody now are afforded at least one hour of outdoor recreation time daily and a maximum of 300 minutes of phone calls per month, with no call lasting longer than 15 minutes.People in ICE custody at Leavenworth are subject to the rules and policies of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, which oversees operations. Some of the rules and policies are a departure from typical conditions in ICE detention facilities, Virgien said.He has heard stories of mistreatment from guards and retaliatory lockdowns that punish many for the actions of few, he said. Lockdowns mean people are in cells for 23 hours a day and must “pack all of their life tasks into that one hour outside the cell,” Virgien said, which can include recreation, showers, legal research, religious practices and phone calls.Carter said one instance of a lockdown has occurred in Leavenworth’s ICE detention unit for 72 hours, and another more than eight hours.“Except for the limited and infrequent instances, all ICE detainees have time outside of their cell each day and have access to exercise, the electronic law library and phone systems,” Carter said.The people ICE detains in Leavenworth are imprisoned alongside people awaiting criminal trials or serving criminal sentences.Benjamin O’Cone, a spokesman for the bureau, said in an emailed statement that it’s the mission of the bureau and Leavenworth to “operate facilities that are safe, secure and humane.”“We take seriously our duty to protect the individuals entrusted in our custody, as well as maintaining the safety of our employees and the community,” O’Cone said. “Humane treatment of the men and women in our custody is a top priority.”ICE did not respond to a request for comment. ICE also has not responded to the coalition’s letter, according to ACLU of Kansas spokeswoman Esmie Tseng.Virgien said the coalition is glad the prison addressed some of the issues they raised, but concerns remain.“Many of the people at the facility have already won their immigration cases, and ICE is still detaining them,” Virgien said.The coalition believes ICE should release people as soon as their immigration cases are won.In at least one case, an immigration judge determined a man could not return to his country of origin without risking torture. Others include people who have spoken out against authoritarian governments in their countries of origin or fled persecution. Some have young children. Many have come from Chicago, and a small number from Kentucky, Virgien said.When asked about the possibility of pursuing legal action, Virgien said, “all options are on the table.”Now, with major Congressional budget increases for ICE, Virgien fears problems will only multiply.Congress approved more than $175 billion for ICE in its most recent budget bill, making it what the Brennan Center for Justice&nbsp;<a href="https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/budget-bill-massively-increases-funding-immigration-detention" target="_blank">classified</a>&nbsp;as the largest federal law enforcement agency. The funds expand ICE’s ability to bring people into custody while capping the number of immigration judges in the country.Also in Leavenworth, private prison company CoreCivic is battling the city government to reopen a shuttered prison to use as its Midwest Regional Reception Center, which would detain as many as 1,000 people. A judge<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/07/17/judge-again-blocks-corecivic-from-opening-leavenworth-prison-as-court-skirmishes-continue/">&nbsp;temporarily blocked</a>&nbsp;the company in July from housing people at its facility until the matter is worked out in court.