Hunter
04/10/21
Several groups have come out condemning comments made by Governor Kim Reynolds about migrant children at the border.
This week, Reynolds told WHO radio that she rejected a request to accept migrant children into Iowa, saying that it’s “the president’s problem.” She added that her priority is the health and safety of Iowans and that the state doesn’t have facilities to house migrant children for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Reynolds’ stand on accepting immigrant children contrasts with her willingness to accept refugees coming into the United States in 2019 when then-President Donald Trump signed an executive order giving states the right to refuse to take refugees. Reynolds was among more than 30 governors who said they would.
The Iowa Immigrant Movement for Justice called the governor’s remarks “callous.” In a statement, they said they were disappointed but not surprised at her stance. The organization says they are also concerned about the unaccompanied children who are being housed in overcrowded facilities as they cross the border.
Joe Henry is the political director for LULAC Iowa. He is quoted as saying, “These kids are not drug dealers. They’re not violent criminals. They are refugees. We need to do the right thing. We need to do our part.”
Maureen Vasile of the Catholic Worker House in Iowa City tells KCRG TV that all the families are trying to do is save their children from harm. The group plans to call the Governor’s office to voice their concens.
