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JEFFERSON CITY 鈥� Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is threatening legal action against Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas after the mayor made comments suggesting the city would benefit from immigrants seeking asylum in cities such as New York coming to work in Kansas City.

Bailey, in a letter to Lucas on Thursday, said his comments were 鈥渨ildly irresponsible.鈥� The Republican pointed to a Missouri law that makes it a felony to transport people who are in the country illegally.

鈥淢ake no mistake, my office will do everything in its power to take legal action against any person or entity found to be in violation of these statutes,鈥� Bailey wrote in the letter.

Bailey鈥檚 letter comes as he is embroiled in a tough primary campaign for a full term as attorney general. Republicans across the nation and in Missouri have made immigration issues at the southern border with Mexico a key issue ahead of the 2024 elections.

The letter follows comments Lucas made on social media on Tuesday, saying “All are welcome in Kansas City.” Lucas also shared a article that quoted him saying the Kansas City area could use more workers in its economy.

鈥淧roud to work with my fellow mayors like @MikeJohnstonCO and @NYCMayor,鈥� he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, referring to Denver鈥檚 mayor and New York City Mayor Eric Adams, 鈥渁s we work to ensure decompression of new arriving communities and collaboration among cities, labor, non-profits, and federal officials.鈥�

Lucas on Wednesday posted a follow up statement that appeared to clarify that his previous comments were related to immigrants who were in the U.S. legally.

鈥淚mmigration is a tough, but important issue, even when discussing, as I am, persons who are lawfully present, with lawful work permits, and the lawful ability to come to our community,鈥� he wrote.

Bailey also took issue with this statement, saying in his letter that it 鈥渋gnores the underlying issue鈥� of the federal government鈥檚 handling of immigration at the southern border.

Even after Lucas鈥� clarifying statement, Bailey鈥檚 letter went on to falsely claim that Lucas was offering an 鈥渙pen invitation for illegal aliens to come to Missouri.鈥�

鈥淩ather than undermining the rule of law, I invite you to join me as I actively seek to defend it and to protect Missourians,鈥� he wrote.

This story included reporting from The Star鈥檚 Mike Hendricks.