Iowa Governor Sends National Guard Troops to Texas Border to Stem Flow of Illegal Immigrants
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has deployed 109 Iowa National Guard troops to the US-Mexico border in an effort to assist Texas in curtailing the influx of illegal immigrants into the United States. The governor’s decision, announced on August 2, is in response to what she perceives as the Biden administration’s failure to address the crisis at the border adequately. By reallocating funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, also known as the COVID-19 stimulus package, Governor Reynolds plans to finance the operation, benefiting from the flexibility provided by the act in utilizing the funds.
In a statement, Governor Reynolds expressed her frustration with the Biden administration, stating that they have failed to respond to the crisis at the border and have consequently failed to protect American citizens, including Iowans. She believes that the administration’s policies have contributed to the significant national security and humanitarian crisis unfolding at the southern border, which is directly impacting states and cities across the nation. Governor Reynolds argues that since the administration has neglected to invest in securing the border, it is imperative for states like Iowa to join Texas in providing assistance.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, another critic of the Biden administration, launched Operation Lone Star in March 2021 to address the escalating number of illegal immigrants and drug smuggling across the border into his state. Other Republican governors, including Governor Reynolds, have subsequently sent troops to aid in securing the border.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol has encountered nearly 6 million illegal immigrants at the southern border since President Biden assumed office. Governor Reynolds attributes this surge to the reversal of border protection policies implemented by the Biden administration on its first day. She argues that Iowa, as a border state due to its unique location at the intersection of major interstates, is increasingly vulnerable to human trafficking and drug cartels.
The deployment of Iowa National Guard troops began on August 2 and will last until September 1. The primary objectives of the operation involve deterring illegal border crossings and preventing the trafficking of illegal substances through Texas. On August 31, the troops will be joined by officers from the Iowa Department of Public Safety for additional support, focusing on criminal interdiction, crime prevention, traffic enforcement, and law enforcement assistance. This deployment will conclude on October 2.
Operation Lone Star, spearheaded by Governor Abbott, has already led to significant progress. Since its inception, it has resulted in over 397,900 apprehensions of illegal immigrants and over 31,800 criminal arrests at the border. Additionally, Texas law enforcement has seized more than 422 million lethal doses of fentanyl during the operation. However, the crisis persists.
In response to the anticipated influx of illegal border-crossers following the end of Title 42 expulsions in May, Governor Abbott appealed to his fellow governors for assistance in addressing the ongoing border crisis. Governor Reynolds, along with 23 other Republican governors, pledged their support to Texas’s efforts, citing the federal government’s failure to handle the expiration of Title 42 as a significant setback. They emphasized the need to safeguard the U.S.-Mexico border and protect families despite the federal government’s negligence.
Governor Reynolds has made it clear that she is committed to addressing the border crisis. This recent deployment marks the third time since 2020 that she has sent troops to the border. In addition to Iowa, other states such as Nebraska, Florida, Virginia, and South Carolina have also dispatched troops to lend support.
Despite criticism of his handling of the border, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas maintains that the Biden administration’s policies are effective. As the crisis continues, it remains to be seen how the combined efforts of states like Iowa will impact the situation and provide much-needed support to secure the U.S.-Mexico border.
