{
  "id": 9861787,
  "title": "Meatpacking groups say ICE arrests could lead to higher prices and revenue loss",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/meatpacking-groups-say-ice-arrests-could-lead-to-higher-prices-and",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-25T23:26:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/2026/09/25/meatpacking-groups-say-ice-arrests-could-lead-to-higher-prices-and-revenue-loss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Meat industry stakeholders have voiced worries that intensified immigration actions in Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma could result in higher consumer prices and revenue losses for businesses. The Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, and Kansas Livestock Association lamented that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations have caused delays in shipping thousands of cattle, leading to significant revenue losses.\n\nThe groups claim that ICE actions have disrupted operations at feedlots, dairy processors, feed and grain companies, and transportation hubs. Scarlett Mabinger, vice president of communications for the Kansas Livestock Association, reported multiple calls from members about increased absences at their southwest Kansas businesses amid heightened federal immigration officers. Some meatpacking plants have temporarily shut down, sending cattle back to feedlots, causing animal health and financial issues.\n\nWhile the Department of Homeland Security confirmed ICE’s presence in Kansas, they stated the officers are not conducting worksite raids. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said ICE has been \"targeting heinous criminals,\" but he did not provide details on the number of arrests. Several Kansas meatpacking plants typically process thousands of cattle daily, but several had to halt operations temporarily and send cattle back to feedlots, causing animal health and financial concerns.\n\nCommunity members in Dodge City, Kansas, have noticed increased federal immigration officers since Tuesday. Local organizer Amy Soberanes reported that cleaning crews have stopped showing up, forcing plants to close. Some residents have lost providers and parents due to these enforcement actions, causing trauma for the community. Despite the administration's claims of targeting immigrants with criminal histories, recent data suggests more than half of those arrested had not been convicted of any crimes.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "ICE arrests in Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma disrupt meat industry operations",
    "Delays in shipping cattle cause revenue losses for feedlots and processors",
    "Some meatpacking plants temporarily shut down, sending cattle back to feedlots"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}