Iowa is developing an anti-illegal immigration bill that would allow local police to arrest illegal immigrants who were previously deported in the Hawkeye State. This is similar to a Texas law that is the subject of a high-profile legal challenge by the Biden administration.
Senate File 2340 makes it a crime for an illegal immigrant to enter or re-enter a state if he or she has previously been deported or denied entry to the United States.
The bill passed the House and Senate and now heads to Governor Kim Reynolds’ desk for signature. Reynolds, a Republican, has said he will sign the bill, which would take effect in July.
Abbott says Texas may continue arresting illegal immigrants while challenge to Biden moves forward
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds speaks at the Family Leadership Summit on July 14, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
“President Biden and his administration have failed to enforce our immigration laws, thereby undermining the sovereignty of our country and the security of our people,” she told the Des Moines Register. “States have stepped in to secure our borders, stop illegal immigrants from entering our country, and protect our people. Americans deserve nothing less.”
This is one of many bills making its way through the state Legislature. Similar proposals to crack down on illegal immigration are moving forward in New Hampshire, Tennessee and Oklahoma.
But the bill that’s gotten the most attention is Texas, where Gov. Greg Abbott signed SB4 into law in December, allowing police to arrest illegal immigrants and allowing judges to order them deported. .
Mexico slams Texas over immigration law, won’t accept deportations from state after Scotus ruling
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is engaged in a legal battle with the Biden administration over SB4, the state’s law against illegal immigration. (Amanda McCoy/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tribune News Service via 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.
“SB 4 will not only make Texas communities less safe, it will burden law enforcement and create confusion and confusion at our southern border. “This is just another example of blocking real solutions,” the White House press office said. Commissioner Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement this week.
Texas governor who clashed with Obama over attempted crackdown on illegal immigration reacts to Scotus ruling
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the law from taking effect, but the Supreme Court temporarily allowed it to take effect and sent the law back to the Court of Appeals without ruling on the merits. The 5th Circuit then blocked again, and both sides heard oral arguments Wednesday.
Abbott argued the law is necessary because the Biden administration is not up to the task of securing the border. The United States remains in the grip of a three-year border crisis, and there are fears there could be another record surge in the summer. In 2023, 2.4 million migrants were encountered, setting a new record.
“First, we are faced with such a dangerous situation. And second, Joe Biden, through his actions, is violating the laws of the United States of America,” Abbott said Wednesday.
Mr. Abbott has clashed with the Biden administration along the border, including cutting razor wire at the Texas border and installing buoys in the Rio Grande. He said he intends to continue these measures this week.
“We will continue to build the border wall, keep the buoys in the water, build the Texas border wall, and do everything we can to protect the sovereignty of Texas and the United States of America.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
