The views and opinions expressed in this editorial article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of Salina Post or Eagle Media. The editorial is intended to stimulate critical thinking and debate on issues of public interest and should be read with an open mind. Readers are encouraged to consider multiple sources of information and to form their own informed opinions.
By: J. BRYAN MANN
Valley Center, KS
As a retired pediatrician, I was appalled by the 2/7/26 NBC story of the 18-month-old detained with her parents at Dilley Texas Immigrant Detention Center. A federal lawsuit has shed light on the despicable treatment of the toddler and the litany of incompetencies that produced a medical nightmare of days in an intensive care unit and once released back to the ICE detention center, was denied her prescribed medications.
The business responsible for this debacle is CoreCivic, the detention center business partner of the federal government and the same business infamously engaged with Leavenworth, KS. According to the ACLU, CoreCivic is well known for civil rights violations including “inhumane living conditions, excessive use of force, medical negligence, physical and sexual abuse.”
CoreCivic is a for-profit human (including children) warehousing operation that is politically active and openly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (CXW). The political action committee of CoreCivic donates hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, almost exclusively to GOP legislators and committees. According to OpenSecrets’ most recent 2024 data, Kansas Senators Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran are listed among 12 senators receiving campaign donations from CoreCivic Inc. In fact, Roger Marshall is listed as the third highest recipient of cumulative CoreCivic donations. Considering the documented abuse of adults and children, it is time for our Kansas Senators to show some dignity and return their CoreCivic campaign donations. In fact, Kansas voters can permanently “divest” themselves of Senator Marshall at the midterm ballot box in nine months.
J. Bryan Mann, MD
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