Gov. Kim Reynolds says 20 Iowa National Guard soldiers will be deployed to offer “administrative and logistical support” to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement beginning in September.
Reynolds announced the mission on Tuesday, Aug. 12. The mission is a response to a request by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and will begin Sept. 8.
“Just as we supported Texas when the Biden Administration left them to defend the border, Iowa will continue to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration laws — this time, by working with the Trump Administration to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in our state,” Reynolds said in a statement. “By providing administrative and logistical support, the Iowa National Guard will free up local ICE officials to continue their work outside the office to enforce the law and keep our state safe.”
Reynolds said Aug. 6 in Cedar Rapids that the Iowa National Guard was ready to “step up and help” ICE with logistics and other administrative tasks, but at that time no agreement had been finalized.
Now, Reynolds said the U.S. Secretary of Defense has authorized the use of the 20 Iowa National Guard soldiers under Title 32 of the federal code, which means the soldiers will be on active duty under state, rather than federal control, but the federal government will cover their pay and benefits.
The mission is approved through Nov. 15.
National Guard mission latest step Reynolds has taken on immigration
The National Guard mission is the latest step Reynolds has taken to direct state officials to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
This spring, the Iowa Department of Public Safety signed what’s known as a 287(g) agreement with ICE to deputize a three-member DPS task force to carry out some federal immigration enforcement functions, including arresting and interrogating people who are in violation of federal immigration laws.
Reynolds also filed a complaint with the Iowa attorney general’s office alleging that Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx violated Iowa law with a Facebook post discouraging law enforcement to cooperate with “detainer” requests from federal immigration officials if they weren’t approved by a judge.
Attorney General Brenna Bird sued Marx, but later dropped the lawsuit. Winneshiek County does comply with ICE detainer requests, despite Marx’s post.
In past years, Reynolds has deployed Iowa National Guard soldiers and Iowa State Patrol troopers to the U.S.-Mexico border to assist Texas with immigration enforcement efforts.
Immigrant rights groups criticize National Guard mission
Immigrant rights groups, including Escucha Mi Voz Iowa, have criticized Reynolds’ support for the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts and now the Iowa National Guard’s participation in immigration enforcement.
“Using Iowa troopers against Iowa communities will not stand,” organizer Alejandra Escobar said during a rally Tuesday, Aug. 5 in Cedar Rapids.
Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on X at @sgrubermiller.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Kim Reynolds says Iowa National Guard will offer assistance to ICE
