Kansas’ ‘Sanctuary Cities’ law creates issues for municipalities wanting to create ID programs

The bill was introduced by the Kansas Attorney General’s office in response to the ‘Safe and Welcoming Act’ that was passed in Wyandotte County earlier this year.
The “sanctuary cities” bill that was passed during this year’s legislative session is causing issues for some municipalities — including Wichita.

Soon to become a state law, the bill also says municipal ID cards cannot be used as a valid form of state identification. That has stalled the city of Wichita’s plans to create a municipal ID program to assist those who don’t have state-issued identification.

“If it ain’t broke, the Legislature will fix it until it’s broke,” said Mayor Brandon Whipple, a former legislator. “They were trying to play politics with a federal level issue and the casualty is they robbed us and other cities of our ability to respond to the needs of our public.”