Iowa Gov. Blasts Sheriff for Refusing to Assist Immigration Enforcement

Iowa Republican governor Kim Reynolds rebuked Winnesiek County Sheriff Dan Marx for violating state law by refusing to help enforce immigrants.

Marx posted a statement Tuesday claiming he would not cooperate with other federal authorities seeking to detain ice and illegal immigrants.

Marx argued that if their actions were “not within the scope of constitutional parameters,” he would not help ice.

Marx wrote partially Facebook post:

If the Fed's case and documents are within constitutional parameters (such as an appropriate and valid judicial warrant/court order), they will either assist when necessary, or their actions are professional and most intrusive as possible. It is required to be carried out in a manner. If their actions or documents are not within the scope of constitutional parameters such as “detainees” that are not warrants, they are very different from warrants, simply ice or other three letters from federal agencies. If it is an unconstitutional “request”, then the “request” of three other letters to arrest or hold someone) then any effort to block, interfere and disrupt their actions from moving forward I'll do it.

But Governor Reynolds warned him against adopting a policy that disregards Marx and does not grant federal authority, and interferes with the ice.

Iowa law provides that sheriffs will not adopt or enforce policies or file other lawsuits that prohibit or block immigration law enforcement. Iowa law further requires that sheriffs not prohibit or block law enforcement officials from assisting or cooperating with federal immigration officials as reasonably or necessary, including providing enforcement assistance.

The governor also said Marx's funds could be at risk, adding that “the sheriff and the county “will not be entitled to receive state funds” if they intentionally violate state law. .