As Gov. Kim Reynolds announced she would send Iowa State Patrol troopers to the border with Mexico, the state’s top public safety leaders raised concerns whether her commitment would leave enough staff for “law enforcement obligations in Iowa” and run up a “significant cost for sending personnel out of state,” according to records obtained by The Gazette.
Zalmay Niazy’s journey has been publicized on a national scale, including in June in The Gazette. The Afghanistan native was an interpreter for the U.S. military for three years before he left the country to build a new life in Iowa Falls.
The Fund Excluded Workers Coalition says Iowa City’s and Johnson County’s delay in providing American Rescue Plan money to undocumented workers and others who were essential during the COVID-19 pandemic is a potential violation of the city’s Human Rights ordinance.
Iowa City is gathering community input on how to spend $18.3 million from the American Rescue Plan Act, a $1.9 trillion federal relief package. One option is direct payments to undocumented workers, who were not eligible for other relief aid.
The captain who led 27 Iowa State Patrol troopers working border security duties for two weeks in Texas said Wednesday they accomplished their mission of disrupting criminal activity that included smuggling humans, drugs and firearms.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds held a press conference at 10 a.m. Wednesday to discuss Iowa State Patrol trooper deployment at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Democratic lawmakers question the cost, ‘use of state resources’
They were legally brought to the country as children. Under current law, they’re forced to leave when they age out of the system.
“Officer safety” is cited for not providing details to the public -- including how many troopers are going.
Iowa City Catholic Worker House has helped 10 refugee families settle this year in the United States.
“Even if I identify myself as an Iowan, I lack the sense of permanence and security” because she was 4-months-old when her parents brought her from India to Iowa City so they could attend the UI, Pareen Mhatre told members of Congress Thursday.
“(Vice President Kamala) Harris was named the border czar almost 100 days ago, and it’s taken her that long to get to the southern border,” Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson told reporters.
Iowa governor said she took the action in response to requests from Republican Govs. Greg Abbott of Texas and Doug Ducey of Arizona under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
Zalmay Niazy served an interpreter for U.S. troops in his native Afghanistan -- and repeated attacks and threats.
© 2025 The Gazette | All Rights Reserved.
Daily Newsletters