DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Television Iowa Capitol Bureau) – Members of the Iowa National Guard and state troopers are once again headed to the southern border.
Thursday, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that eight troopers and two sergeants from the Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) will deploy March 31 to Texas in support of Operation Lone Star and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Reynolds’ office says the deployment will last 28 days and conclude on April 27.
The Iowa National Guard will redeploy on two missions to Texas. 110 members of the guard will leave for the border on April 1, and the mission ends on May 3.
Five members are staying much longer. The second mission also leaves April 1, but returns Sept. 30. The Governor’s office says the personnel will help with ground vehicle maintenance and public affairs support.
In a statement, Reynolds said that “every state is a border state”:
“President Biden and his Administration have failed to protect the sovereignty of our borders and the safety of the American people. What Texas faces is nothing short of an invasion with historic levels of illegal immigrants and illicit drugs entering our country.
Now, every state is a border state, and with that comes a duty to protect the people of Iowa. These deployments will help Texas on the frontlines of this crisis. I am grateful to all the members of the Iowa Department of Public Safety and the Iowa National Guard for volunteering for the deployment. It’s a testament to their leadership and willingness to serve.”
All costs will be covered by federal funding allocated to Iowa from the American Rescue Plan. States are given flexibility in how this funding can be used provided it supports the provision of government services.
Similar to the last deployment, the mission will be paid for by funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.
—
Conner Hendricks covers state government and politics for Gray Television-owned stations in Iowa. Email him at [email protected]; and follow him on Facebook at Conner Hendricks TV or on X/Twitter @ConnerReports.
Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.
DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Television Iowa Capitol Bureau) – Members of the Iowa National Guard and state troopers are once again headed to the southern border.
Thursday, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that eight troopers and two sergeants from the Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) will deploy March 31 to Texas in support of Operation Lone Star and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Reynolds’ office says the deployment will last 28 days and conclude on April 27.
The Iowa National Guard will redeploy on two missions to Texas. 110 members of the guard will leave for the border on April 1, and the mission ends on May 3.
Five members are staying much longer. The second mission also leaves April 1, but returns Sept. 30. The Governor’s office says the personnel will help with ground vehicle maintenance and public affairs support.
In a statement, Reynolds said that “every state is a border state”:
“President Biden and his Administration have failed to protect the sovereignty of our borders and the safety of the American people. What Texas faces is nothing short of an invasion with historic levels of illegal immigrants and illicit drugs entering our country.
Now, every state is a border state, and with that comes a duty to protect the people of Iowa. These deployments will help Texas on the frontlines of this crisis. I am grateful to all the members of the Iowa Department of Public Safety and the Iowa National Guard for volunteering for the deployment. It’s a testament to their leadership and willingness to serve.”
All costs will be covered by federal funding allocated to Iowa from the American Rescue Plan. States are given flexibility in how this funding can be used provided it supports the provision of government services.
Similar to the last deployment, the mission will be paid for by funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.
—
Conner Hendricks covers state government and politics for Gray Television-owned stations in Iowa. Email him at [email protected]; and follow him on Facebook at Conner Hendricks TV or on X/Twitter @ConnerReports.
Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.
