LATE LAST WEEK, REPUBLICAN IOWA GOV. KIM REYNOLDS “SAID SHE HAS REJECTED A FEDERAL REQUEST TO ACCEPT MIGRANT CHILDREN INTO THE STATE, SAYING THE NEED TO FIND HOMES FOR THEM ‘IS THE PRESIDENT’S PROBLEM,’” PER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.
“THIS IS NOT OUR PROBLEM,” REYNOLDS SAID, ADDING THAT THE STATE DOES NOT HAVE ANY TEMPORARY FACILITIES TO LEND TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICES. “THIS IS THE PRESIDENT’S PROBLEM. HE’S THE ONE THAT HAS OPENED THE BORDER, AND HE NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS AND HE NEEDS TO STOP IT.”
IOWA’S OWN DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, IT SEEMS, MADE THE DECISION, BASED ON WHETHER THE STATE WAS EQUIPPED TO RESPOND TO BOTH LOCAL AND FEDERAL NEEDS AMID A SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC DOWNTURN AND THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
“THIS IS DUE TO LIMITED RESOURCES AND ADMINISTRATIVE CONCERNS. WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO TAKE CARE OF OUR CHILDREN FIRST AND ABSENT THE RESOURCES OR A CLEAR AND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR FEDERAL SUPPORT, WE WERE UNABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THE REQUEST,” IOWA’S DIRECTOR OF HUMAN SERVICES SAID IN A STATEMENT TO THE WHITE HOUSE. “WE ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY SADDENING AND DIFFICULT SITUATION.”
