Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds stated that members of the Iowa National Guard and the Iowa Department of Public Safety will be deployed to the United States-Mexico border to participate in Operation Lone Star.
According to a news release issued on Thursday, March 28, eight troopers and two sergeants from the DPS will deploy to Texas on Sunday, March 31. That deployment will last 28 days and will end on Saturday, April 27.
In addition to DPS personnel, the Iowa National Guard will deploy on two distinct missions. On Monday, April 1, 110 personnel will be transported to Texas for a mission that will end on Friday, May 3. The second mission will begin on April 1 and will go until Monday, September 30. Five guardsmen will offer vehicle maintenance and public affairs support during the deployment, according to Reynolds’ office.
“President Biden and his administration have failed to defend our borders and the safety of the American people. Texas is facing an invasion, with unprecedented numbers of illegal immigrants and illicit substances entering the country. “Now, every state is a border state, and that comes with a responsibility to protect the people of Iowa,” Reynolds said in a statement announcing the deployment.
This is not the first time Reynolds has deployed Iowans to the border. More than 100 Iowa National Guard members will be deployed for a month in August 2023 to assist with Operation Lone Star. Reynolds also visited the southern border in February, along with other Republican governors.
According to Reynolds’ office, all deployment expenses will be covered by monies provided to Iowa by the American Rescue Plan Act.