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U.S. Rep. Latham: Latham legislation bans detention of terror suspects in Iowa, midwestern states
11/18/2009

Contact: Fred Love 202-225-5476 fred.love@mail.house.gov



SEEKS UNIFIED SUPPORT FROM CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATIONS FROM THE 11 AFFECTED STATES

WASHINGTON, DC – Iowa Congressman Tom Latham has announced that he will introduce legislation this week to block the transfer of dangerous Guantanamo Bay terrorist-detainees to Iowa and 10 other Midwestern states. Latham intends to formally introduce the legislation, titled the “Keep Terrorists Out of the Midwest Act,” on Thursday.

“I have heard from so many Iowans over the past few days who are rightfully concerned about the proposed relocation of Guantanamo Bay terrorist-detainees to our backyard,” Congressman Latham said. “They’re asking how bringing dangerous terrorists to U.S. soil will make our country safer. Iowa families deserve to have their voices heard in this important debate. Most importantly, Iowa families deserve the guarantee of the federal government that some of the world’s most dangerous terrorists, many of whom helped plan the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, will not be housed or tried just minutes from the neighborhoods where they live and work.”

Latham has sent a personal letter to each of his colleagues in the 11 states affected by the legislation to invite them to join him in taking the lead on protecting their constituents as original co-sponsors of the legislation.

On Oct. 7, 2009, dozens of retired generals, admirals and intelligence leaders – including former Clinton CIA Director James Woolsey – sent a letter to President Obama expressing their concern over moving Guantanamo Bay detainees to the United States. “Over 500 lawyers describing themselves as the “Gitmo Bar” stand ready to file the paperwork to free any detainees transferred to U.S. prisons,” the security leaders wrote. "Potential national and local security risks greatly outweigh any prospective economic benefits for states under consideration for such transfers.”

Latham’s legislation was prompted due to the news that the Thomson Correctional Center in Thomson, Ill., has emerged as a leading option for housing and trying the detainees as the White House pushes its plan to close Guantanamo. Because of the numerous potential sites deemed suitable by the White House for the transfer of terrorist-detainees throughout the Midwest, Latham authored the bill to block the housing and prosecution of detainees in any of the states. The 11 states specifically mentioned in the legislation are Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Arkansas, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Nebraska and Kansas.

The text of the legislation follows:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Keep Terrorists Out of the Midwest Act”.

Sec. 2. PROHIBITION ON TRANSFER OF INDIVIDUALS DETAINED AT GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA, TO FACILITIES IN MIDWESTERN STATES.

(a) PROHIBITION. – No individual detained by the United States at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, may be – (1) transferred to or housed in a facility located in a Midwestern State; or (2) prosecuted or tried for any offense against the United States in any Midwestern State.

(b) MIDWESTERN STATE DEFINED. – For the purposes of this Act, the term “Midwestern State” means Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Arkansas, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Nebraska, and Kansas.

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