Iowa Governor Deploys Troops to Mexico Border Using COVID-19 Funds

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has deployed Iowa National Guard troops to the southern border to assist Texas in stemming the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks at a campaign event for Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) at Dahl Auto Museum as part of Ernst's RV tour of Iowa, in Davenport, on Oct. 31, 2020. Mario Tama/Getty Images

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has deployed 109 Iowa National Guard troops to the U.S.–Mexico border to assist Texas in stemming the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States.

The operation, the Republican governor said on Aug. 2, will be paid for with funds allocated to the state under the American Rescue Plan Act, also known as the COVID-19 stimulus package, which she said offers flexibility in how the funds are spent.