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More than 100 immigrant children have entered Iowa

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July 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A federal official says 122 children who entered the country illegally were sent to Iowa in the first half of the year. According to a report Tuesday in the Omaha World Herald, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Kenneth Wolfe said the children were placed with relatives or sponsors.

Gov. Terry Branstad has been opposed to hosting any immigrant children in Iowa. Branstad spokesman Jimmy Centers said Tuesday the state hasn’t been notified about the children entering Iowa. On Monday, Branstad said such children should be returned to their home countries. He contends federal officials must improve border security.

More than 57,000 youths, mostly from Central America, have crossed into the U.S. illegally since October.