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To: Sheriff Armbrister, Douglas County County Sheriff’s Office
Lawrence Community Support Alliance
Petition to Sheriff Armbrister– Reaffirm Your Commitment to Protect Our Community, Oppose HB2771
To: Sheriff Armbrister, Douglas County County Sheriff’s Office
From: Concerned Residents of Douglas County
Date: March 20, 2026
From: Concerned Residents of Douglas County
Date: March 20, 2026
Subject: Withdraw Support for HB2771 and Uphold Your Commitment to Keep ICE Out of Our Local Jail
Dear Sheriff Armbrister,
We, the undersigned residents of Douglas County, are writing to remind you of the commitment you made to oppose any entanglement between our local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement. We appreciate your past leadership in keeping our community safe for everyone. However, we are deeply alarmed by the introduction of HB2771, a state bill that would force county sheriffs to comply with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers and mandates local law enforcement’s participation in federal deportation efforts. As you are aware, ICE operations are endangering citizens and non-citizens alike, eroding trust in local law enforcement, and triggering costly law suits against local authorities cooperating with ICE.
We recognize that you have historically opposed involving our county jail in ICE matters. We are calling on you to stand firm in that commitment and to take immediate action to oppose this dangerous legislation.
We ask that you:
- Publicly reaffirm your opposition to HB2771 and clarify that Douglas County will not expand its role in immigration enforcement beyond what is legally required.
- Work within the Kansas Sheriffs’ Association to formally withdraw any support for HB2771 and encourage other sheriffs to do the same.
- Refuse to voluntarily enter into any 287(g) agreements with ICE, even if HB2771 becomes law, and advocate for the full repeal or veto of this bill.
Why We Oppose HB2771:
● It Undermines Community Trust: When immigrants fear that a routine encounter with law enforcement could lead to deportation, they are less likely to report crimes, cooperate with investigations, or seek protection as victims or witnesses. This makes everyone less safe.
● It Violates Local Control: HB2771 strips county commissioners of their oversight role and pressures sheriffs into compliance with federal immigration enforcement, eroding the principle of local decision-making.
● It Exposes the County to Legal and Financial Risk: While the bill promises state coverage for certain judgments, it also opens the door to costly civil rights litigation and habeas corpus actions, diverting resources away from public safety.
● It Mandates Detention Without Criminal Charges: The bill requires sheriffs to hold individuals for up to 48 hours based solely on an ICE detainer request, even in the absence of criminal charges—raising serious constitutional concerns.
Sheriff Armbrister, you have said in the past that our jail should not be an extension of ICE. We are asking you to stand by that promise. We urge you to use your voice and your influence within the Kansas Sheriffs’ Association to oppose HB2771 and protect the trust between law enforcement and the communities we serve.
We are watching this issue closely, and we expect you to act in accordance with the values of safety, fairness, and local control you have championed.
Why is this important?
Douglas County residents are united in a deep sense of care for the wellbeing of our families and community. Our petition is rooted in that shared commitment.