The Great Read: The Immigration Debate Came to Rural Kansas. Locals Stood by Their Mayor.
The Mexican-born mayor of Coldwater was accused of voting illegally as a noncitizen. Many of his neighbors want state and federal officials to back off.
The New York Times
The Great Read

February 16, 2026, 2:01 p.m. Eastern time

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Former Mayor Joe Ceballos of Coldwater, Kan., stands before hay in a leather jacket and dark cap.

The Immigration Debate Came to Rural Kansas. Locals Stood by Their Mayor.

The Mexican-born mayor of Coldwater was accused of voting illegally as a noncitizen. Many of his neighbors want state and federal officials to back off.

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