Johnson County Commissioner’s ICE Post Sparks Local Backlash
Johnson County Commissioner Becky Fast is once again at the center of controversy after urging her Facebook followers to donate to organizations that oppose ICE and support illegal immigrants. While Fast’s post struck a chord with some, it comes at a time when courts have ruled ICE enforcement is both lawful and widely supported.
In her original post, Fast wrote:
“As a former Minnesotan, I’m deeply saddened by the administration’s escalating violence against the state my great-grandparents immigrated to in the 1870s and were greeted with open arms. As a farm kid who owns a century-old family farm in southwestern Minnesota, my family and friends have experienced the unwavering love and support of numerous immigrant neighbors who’ve been crucial to keeping rural communities like my hometown thriving. As a social worker, I am compelled to express my moral outrage regarding the long-term damage being inflicted upon communities through the trauma they are enduring. Our neighbors in Minnesota are in need of our assistance. I have attached a directory of resources that can be utilized to provide support and make donations.”
The post quickly drew backlash. The most prominent response circulating online reads:
“Meet Becky Fast, a Commissioner for Johnson County, Kansas. Becky shared this link urging followers to donate to help illegals and to anti-ICE rapid response groups like the Minnesota signal group chat network which coordinates the doxxing and harassment of ICE,” wrote Libs of TikTok.
She has since made her Facebook page private.
Fast’s message comes amid a surge in ICE enforcement. Since January 2025, ICE and the Department of Homeland Security have deported over 605,000 illegal immigrants, prioritizing those with serious criminal records. Federal courts continue to rule that ICE deportations may proceed, despite ongoing legal challenges.
The numbers tell their own story: 2025 saw a record drop in violent crime, with homicides plummeting more than 20% nationwide—the sharpest decline ever recorded according to CBS News. In addition, carjackings across the country are down by 44 percent. Some law enforcement officials point to tougher immigration enforcement as a contributing factor as gang members, child rapists and others are rounded up and jailed or deported.
Fast has recently weighed in on other hot-button issues, including the Kansas City Chiefs’ move to Kansas, which she praised as a “win for Johnson County” and a boost to the local economy. Media outlets and government watchdog groups are now questioning the deal and demanding that the Johnson County Commission release the full details to the public.
–Dwight Widaman
