Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill Wednesday night that allows local police to arrest illegal immigrants who have previously been deported or denied entry in the Hawkeye State.
Senate File 2340This is the subject of high-profile legislation that would make it a crime for illegal immigrants to enter or re-enter a state if they have previously been deported or denied entry to the United States. It’s similar to the Texas law. Legal challenge from Biden administration.
“The Biden administration is failing to enforce our nation’s immigration laws, putting the protection and safety of Iowans at risk,” Reynolds said in a statement announcing the signing of the bill.
He added, “People who enter our country illegally are breaking the law, and Biden refuses to deport them.” “This bill gives Iowa law enforcement the power to do what he doesn’t want to do: enforce immigration laws that are already on the books.”
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Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill Wednesday that allows local police to arrest previously deported illegal immigrants in the Hawkeye State. (Getty Images)
The new law passed both chambers of the state Legislature last month and is scheduled to take effect July 1.
The law specifically makes it an aggravated misdemeanor and targets immigrants in the state with outstanding deportation orders, those who were previously deported or previously barred from entering the country.
According to the new law, if an immigrant’s removal order is related to a drug-related crime, crime against person, or misdemeanor conviction with a prior felony conviction, that crime will be upgraded to a felony.
However, the law prohibits police from arresting immigrants suspected of violating the law at places of worship, medical facilities, schools, etc.
Under the terms of the law, illegal immigrants who are arrested can be allowed to leave the country by a judge and have their charges waived.
Similar proposals to crack down on illegal immigration have been advanced in Louisiana, New Hampshire, Tennessee and Oklahoma in recent weeks.
The most high-profile similar bill is Texas, where Gov. Greg Abbott signed SB4 in December, allowing police to arrest illegal immigrants and judges to order them deported. It’s now possible. The Texas law is part of Abbott’s Operation Lone Star.
Another red state moves closer to enacting Texas-style anti-illegal immigration legislation
Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott signed SB4 into law in December, allowing police to arrest illegal immigrants and allowing judges to order their deportation. (Getty Images)
In January, the Biden administration cited a 2012 Supreme Court ruling that suspended parts of an Arizona law that empowered state and local officials, arguing that the law encroached on federal territory. filed a lawsuit.
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the law from taking effect, but the court temporarily allowed it to go into effect. supreme court, was remanded to the Court of Appeals without ruling on the merits. The 5th Circuit then blocked it again, and both sides held oral arguments late last month.
A similar measure was introduced in the Louisiana Senate last month that would make it a new crime for illegal immigrants to enter or re-enter the state after being deported.
The measures are Senate Bill 388, introduced by Republican state Sen. Valarie Hodges. If the bill is passed and signed into law, violations would be punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $4,000.
As part of the bill, Louisiana’s governor would also be given the authority to enter into an interstate compact with Texas to help curb the “influx of illegal immigration that would result in the safety and security of the people of Louisiana.”
On March 21, 2024, a group of more than 100 immigrants breach the border wall in an attempt to illegally enter the United States. (James Breeden, New York Post/Mega)
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SB 388 was approved by a Senate committee last month and accepted by the House this week. It is expected to be approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature and Republican Gov. Jeff Landry.
Hodges, a Republican, said the measure was necessary because of “open borders” and federal inaction.
