Senator Mike Thompson Silences Opponents and Restricts Democracy in Hearing on Anti-Immigrant Bill

Topeka Kansas | February 28, 2025

By Claudia Amaro | Planeta Venus

Sen. Mike Thompson silenced the mic and canceled the hearing abruptly. screenshot taken from the hearing recording.

In a controversial hearing held in Topeka, Senator Mike Thompson, chairman of the Committee on Federal and State Affairs, imposed severe restrictions on public testimony regarding SB 254, a bill that seeks to prohibit undocumented immigrants from receiving state or local public benefits, aligning with existing federal policies.

Despite overwhelming opposition—24 Kansans delivering oral testimony and nearly 100 submitting written statements, including religious leaders, charitable organizations, and local officials—Thompson limited the total testimony time to 12 minutes per side. As a result, many opponents, some of whom traveled long distances and took time off work, had less than 30 seconds to express their concerns.

In contrast, the only supporter of the bill, Attorney General Kris Kobach, used the full 12 minutes and was granted additional time to answer questions, accumulating a total of 22 minutes. When the opposition’s allotted time ended, Thompson abruptly closed the hearing, preventing others scheduled to testify from speaking. When an attendee attempted to peacefully share his story, Thompson called the Capitol police and ordered the room to be cleared.

Aude Negrete, Executive Director of KS Latino Community Network, expressed her disappointment:

“It is clear that the vast majority of Kansans don’t want this law passed. This bill is so unpopular that a diverse group of Kansans came together from all over the state to explain to our elected leaders why they should not support it. I’m disappointed our voices weren’t heard, but we will continue to share why this divisive law would harm Kansans and urge our legislators to vote no.”

Senator Mike Thompson, known for his hardline stance on immigration, has sponsored multiple anti-immigrant legislative proposals. Among them is SCR 1602, a resolution urging the governor to fully cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

Additionally, he has backed bills such as SB 178, SB 196, and HB 2020, the latter requiring the Department of Motor Vehicles to report quarterly the names and addresses of certain non-citizens to the Secretary of State.

Thompson’s actions have sparked criticism from various sectors, which argue that such measures are divisive and harmful to immigrant communities and the social fabric of Kansas.