Gov. Reynolds says Iowa National Guard troops may assist ICE with immigration enforcement

CEDAR RAPIDS — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday said the Iowa National Guard stands ready to coordinate with the federal government to potentially assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with administrative and clerical duties related to the detention and deportation of migrants in their custody, though specifics are still pending.

The governor’s office said it and the Iowa National Guard have not yet received a mission order from the Department of Defense.

“The U.S. Department of Defense authorized the National Guard to provide mutual aid to federal agents in enforcing immigration laws. Gov. Reynolds has said the state will be ready to assist,” the Iowa National Guard said in a statement. “While the Iowa National Guard has not yet received an order from the DoD, it is understood that the mission will be for clerical, logistical and administrative assistance.”

If mobilized, the Iowa National Guard would serve a federal mission under Title 32 and operate under state control. The cost of the mission would be covered by federal funding. The Iowa National Guard was activated under the same status during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Immigrants rights and worker justice organization Escucha Mi Voz issued a news release Tuesday pointing to reporting from The Intercept that revealed the Trump administration has authorized National Guard troops to support ICE operations in 20 states, including Iowa.

Escucha Mi Voz Iowa, an Iowa City nonprofit which translates to “Hear My Voice” in Spanish, said Reynolds’ office confirmed the report in an email to the group, stating that the Iowa National Guard "stands ready to support our (U.S. Department of Homeland Security) partners in executing the President’s executive orders."

Asked about the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo first revealed last week by the New York Times, Reynolds told reporters following a groundbreaking ceremony in Cedar Rapids that “every governor across this country was on a conference call with Homeland Security asking for help in states around the country” to assist with deportations.

  Buy Photo

“As you know we have over 11 million illegal immigrants that have crossed into our country illegally during the Biden administration,” Reynolds said, referring to the more than 10.8 million “encounters” tracked by U.S. border officials during former President Joe Biden’s term, starting in January 2021. The numbers include both attempted illegal crossings and individuals deemed inadmissible at legal points of entry.

“We have said that we would step up and help,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds said the Iowa National Guard would likely focus on logistics and processing, but that specifics — including how many Iowa troops may be involved — have not been finalized.

Recommended Reading

Here’s what Trump’s deportation plans could mean for Iowans

States can authorize the National Guard to assist with law enforcement within their borders, and when activated under federal authority can be used to support civilian law enforcement, including equipment, training and intelligence, but is generally prohibited from direct participation in law enforcement activities like arrests or searches.

Republican governors, including Reynolds, have previously deployed National Guard troops to Texas to assist authorities there with security along the southern border.

  Buy Photo

Deploying Guard troops to ICE sites would more directly integrate military operations with the agency's domestic law enforcement responsibilities, the Times reported.

An ICE memo said National Guard troops would directly assist agents with “administrative and clerical tasks, field office program management, case management and transportation.” The memo did not authorize the National Guard to take part in immigration raids directly, the Times reported.

Escucha Mi Voz Iowa community organizer Alejandra Escobar, in a statement, said its members demand Reynolds keep the Iowa National Guard out of immigration enforcement. They warn that such actions are a direct threat to immigrant communities, risk widespread civil liberties violations, and undermine the safety and unity of Iowa families.

The nonprofit filed a civil-rights complaint in April against the Iowa State Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after seven construction workers were stopped while driving home from work near Dubuque.

The complaint was filed through the process laid out in an agreement signed in March between the Iowa Department of Public Safety and ICE.

The agreement, called a 287(g) agreement, established a task force of three special agents from the Iowa State Patrol who are given authority to perform some immigration-related law enforcement activities in Iowa, including arresting individuals in violation of federal immigration laws and issuing immigration detainers.

  Buy Photo

“Deploying the National Guard against our state’s hard working immigrant communities is morally indefensible and risks widespread violations of civil liberties and constitutional rights,” Escobar said. “We will be closely monitoring this situation and are prepared to mobilize communities statewide against any action that threatens Iowa families."

Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice spokesperson Elena Casillas-Hoffman said the nonprofit urges those who may be targets of immigration enforcement activity — both newly arrived and long-time residents of Iowa — to understand their constitutional rights and have safety plans in place.

“Allies and communities should be taking steps to defend each other and calling on elected officials on all levels to ‘just say no’ to ICE,” Casillas-Hoffman said. “Iowa MMJ always stands firm in our commitment to building an Iowa that is welcoming and inclusive to all."

The Gazette’s Emily Andersen contributed to this report.

Comments: (319) 398-8499; tom.barton@thegazette.com