

By Sabine Martin, Des Moines Register
Des Moines, IA-Gov. Kim Reynolds has directed Iowa’s top law enforcement officials to “fully cooperate and assist” with federal agencies carrying out deportations promised on day one of President-elect Donald Trump’s new administration.
Reynolds sent a memo Friday to Stephan Bayens, Iowa Department of Public Safety commissioner, and Beth Skinner, director of the Iowa Department of Corrections, to ensure the departments are ready to support Trump’s new federal immigration policies.
Trump has repeatedly said he plans to have “mass deportations,” starting by removing immigrants living in the country illegally who have violated the law. Iowa is home to an estimated 105,000 undocumented immigrants, and many immigrants fear deportation under a second Trump presidency.
In her letter, Reynolds instructed Iowa’s law enforcement officials to ensure their departments will:
- Fully cooperate and assist, as the law permits, with investigative efforts of the federal Justice and Homeland Security departments.
- Contact Homeland Security and the DOJ if any ongoing criminal investigations result in the apprehension of people where a “reasonable suspicion exists” that immigration laws have been violated.
- Honor any detainer requests from Homeland Security to aid the transfer of someone to immigration authorities.
- Notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement when someone will be released from criminal custody and keep them in custody to facilitate their transfer to the requesting authority.
Reynolds has previously vowed to aid Trump’s efforts, using the National Guard and law enforcement if needed.
“Republican governors remain fully committed to supporting the Trump administration’s efforts to deport dangerous criminals, gang members and terrorists who are in this country illegally,” Reynolds said in a Dec. 13 joint statement with other Republican governors. “We understand the direct threat these criminal illegal immigrants pose to public safety and our national security, and we will do everything in our power to assist in removing them from our communities.”
Reynolds said in an interview this week with KCCI that if Trump’s administration lets Immigration and Customs Enforcement do its job, using the Iowa National Guard might not be needed.
“He’s the one that has to take the lead on that, and then I can see how we can help facilitate that with law enforcement and with the National Guard, if necessary,” Reynolds said.
She said she hasn’t heard from Trump on how his immigration plan will work in Iowa.
“I am not going to speculate on what that looks like,” Reynolds said.
Iowa immigrant advocacy groups respond to Reynolds
Immigrant advocacy groups said Friday in response to Reynolds’ memo that Iowa’s rural economy and workforce depend on immigrants.
Ann Naffier, co-director of the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice’s legal program, said Iowans who were born here and those who recently arrived are aware of Reynolds’ stance toward immigrants.
“We are disappointed, but ultimately not surprised, by the governor’s eagerness to dedicate limited taxpayer resources to enforcing the incoming administration’s anti-immigrant policies,” Naffier said. “We also know that law enforcement officials have repeatedly explained the importance of building trust with the communities they serve, and that they don’t have the resources or interest in enforcing the inhumane U.S. immigration laws.”
Naffier said the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, immigrants, refugees and their allies will continue to defend and protect each other.
“We know that Iowans are kind, fair people who do not actually want to see their neighbors’ families torn apart or placed in danger,” Naffier said. “Communities all around the state are organizing to protect immigrants’ constitutional rights and prepare for these anti-immigrant directives.”

Alejandra Escobar, a member of Escucha Mi Voz, an Iowa City-based immigrant advocacy group, said Reynolds’ focus should be on keeping families together and safeguarding essential workers.
“Governor Reynolds and law enforcement at all levels must uphold and respect our constitutional rights,” Escobar said. “ICE and the police cannot enter our homes without a warrant. We have the right to remain silent, consult with an attorney, and request identification from law enforcement officials.”
Sabine Martin covers politics for the Register. She can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (515) 284-8132. Follow her on X at @sabinefmartin.