Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Tuesday that Iowa National Guard soldiers will deploy in September to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Starting Sept. 8, 20 National Guard soldiers will provide administrative and logistical support to ICE officials in Iowa who are enforcing immigration laws, according to a news release. The mission, authorized by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, will operate under federal Title 32 status — meaning the soldiers will be on active duty under state control but paid with federal funds.
Reynolds said the deployment follows a request from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for help with President Donald Trump’s mass deportation efforts. The New York Times reported in July that similar National Guard deployments are planned in 20 states with Republican governors, including Florida, Tennessee and Virginia.
In her statement, Reynolds linked this action to previous Iowa National Guard missions to the U.S.-Mexico border. She has sent Guard members to Texas in 2023 and 2024 to assist with state-level immigration enforcement, along with deploying Iowa Department of Public Safety officers and Iowa State Patrol troopers in earlier years.
“Just as we supported Texas when the Biden Administration left them to defend the border, Iowa will continue to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration laws — this time, by working with the Trump Administration to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in our state,” Reynolds said. “By providing administrative and logistical support, the Iowa National Guard will free up local ICE officials to continue their work outside the office to enforce the law and keep our state safe.”
Reynolds has repeatedly voiced her commitment to working with the Trump administration and ICE during the nationwide immigration crackdown.
Criticism from Immigrant Advocates
Some immigrant rights groups say the move will harm Iowa’s immigrant communities. Alejandra Escobar of Escucha Mi Voz Iowa called the deployment “an unprecedented escalation in anti-immigrant policy” that risks civil liberties violations and jeopardizes the safety of Iowa families.
“Escucha Mi Voz members demand Governor Reynolds keep the Iowa National Guard out of immigration enforcement,” Escobar said. “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. We will be closely monitoring this situation and are prepared to mobilize communities statewide against any action that threatens Iowa families.”
Other State Actions Supporting Federal Immigration Enforcement
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In March, the Iowa Department of Public Safety signed an agreement with ICE to form a three-person task force of special agents deputized to carry out certain federal immigration law enforcement duties, such as issuing immigration detainers.
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Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird pursued a lawsuit against Winneshiek County and Sheriff Dan Marx after Marx posted on Facebook that he would not honor ICE detainer requests without court approval. The lawsuit was dismissed in July after Bird said the sheriff and county agreed to continue honoring ICE detainers and cooperating with federal immigration authorities.
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