The office of Gov. Kim Reynolds confirmed on Thursday that no immigrants are being bused to Iowa from Texas.
There was false speculation Thursday that Iowa City might be among the cities where Texas Gov. Greg Abbott intends to send buses of immigrants from the southern border.
Abbott is busing immigrants from Texas to various cities as a “response to President Biden’s open border policies overwhelming border communities in Texas,” according to a news release from Abbott’s office.
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Abbott has now bused immigrants to Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C. — all of which have Democratic mayors, the Associated Press reported.
The City of Iowa City also said it has no direct knowledge of plans. A document obtained by CNN had Iowa City listed as a potential location, and the network reached out to the Iowa City Catholic Worker House.
The Center for Immigration Studies has Iowa City listed as “sanctuary city,” but Iowa City is not technically a sanctuary city despite its hands-off policy on immigration enforcement.
The city reaffirmed in a 2017 resolution that the Iowa City Police Department’s role is in maintaining public safety rather than enforcing federal immigration law. The resolution also stated the city will comply with state and federal laws.
A state law passed in 2018 requires local governments to comply with federal immigration detainer requests. Local governments found in non-compliance face financial sanctions, including the withholding of funding.
The Catholic Worker House said in a statement it condemns Abbott’s “forcible relocation of immigrants across the country as an unchristian and racist political stunt.”
The group, which assists immigrants and refugees, has sponsored more than 100 refugee families from the southern border in the last 12 months. The organization is currently helping house two dozen families.
“Immigrants and refugees are welcome in Iowa City, and we will do everything we can to create a network of care with our local partners and ensure that any and all newly arrived immigrants receive the shelter, food, and protection they need,” Catholic Worker Maureen Vasile said.
There was false speculation Thursday that Iowa City might be among the cities where Texas Gov. Greg Abbott intends to send buses of immigrants from the southern border.
Abbott is busing immigrants from Texas to various cities as a “response to President Biden’s open border policies overwhelming border communities in Texas,” according to a news release from Abbott’s office.
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Abbott has now bused immigrants to Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C. — all of which have Democratic mayors, the Associated Press reported.
The City of Iowa City also said it has no direct knowledge of plans. A document obtained by CNN had Iowa City listed as a potential location, and the network reached out to the Iowa City Catholic Worker House.
The Center for Immigration Studies has Iowa City listed as “sanctuary city,” but Iowa City is not technically a sanctuary city despite its hands-off policy on immigration enforcement.
The city reaffirmed in a 2017 resolution that the Iowa City Police Department’s role is in maintaining public safety rather than enforcing federal immigration law. The resolution also stated the city will comply with state and federal laws.
A state law passed in 2018 requires local governments to comply with federal immigration detainer requests. Local governments found in non-compliance face financial sanctions, including the withholding of funding.
The Catholic Worker House said in a statement it condemns Abbott’s “forcible relocation of immigrants across the country as an unchristian and racist political stunt.”
The group, which assists immigrants and refugees, has sponsored more than 100 refugee families from the southern border in the last 12 months. The organization is currently helping house two dozen families.
“Immigrants and refugees are welcome in Iowa City, and we will do everything we can to create a network of care with our local partners and ensure that any and all newly arrived immigrants receive the shelter, food, and protection they need,” Catholic Worker Maureen Vasile said.
Immigrants from Texas will not be bused to Iowa City
There was false speculation Thursday that Iowa City might be among the cities where Texas Gov. Greg Abbott intends to send buses of migrants from the southern border.
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