Iowa National Guard Ready for ICE Support

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has announced that the state’s National Guard is prepared to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if called upon. This preparation follows a mutual aid authorization from the Pentagon, as reported by the Quad City Times. Although no official mission directive has been received from Arlington, the Iowa National Guard is ready to deploy its members for clerical and administrative roles. Governor Reynolds, a Republican, shared these details during an appearance in Cedar Rapids.

Discussion with Homeland Security

Governor Reynolds revealed that she was part of a recent call with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. During this call, the possibility of state militias assisting with detention and deportation operations was discussed. According to the Des Moines Register, Reynolds emphasized that logistics and processing are areas where Iowa could potentially contribute.

Awaiting Further Instructions

While the specifics regarding the number of servicemembers and states involved remain undetermined, Reynolds assured that Iowa is willing to step up and assist. She noted that nothing has been finalized yet, but the state is exploring ways to help.

Community Concerns

The potential deployment of the National Guard has raised concerns among community organizations. Escucha Mi Voz, a faith-based group led by immigrants, expressed that using the National Guard against immigrant communities is “morally indefensible” and could lead to violations of civil liberties and constitutional rights.

Other States Involved

In addition to Iowa, National Guards from Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Georgia, and Florida have also received directives to assist ICE with “alien processing,” according to a memo obtained by The New York Times.