Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a new law that allows local police to arrest illegal immigrants in the state who have previously been deported or denied admission. The law, Senate File 2340, makes it a crime for illegal immigrants to enter or re-enter Iowa if they have been deported or denied entry to the United States in the past. Reynolds stated that the Biden administration has failed to enforce immigration laws, putting the safety of Iowans at risk, and this bill gives Iowa law enforcement the power to enforce these laws. The new law is scheduled to take effect on July 1 and includes penalties for migrants with outstanding deportation orders or who have previous criminal convictions.
The law in Iowa also specifies that police cannot arrest migrants suspected of violating the law at places of worship, medical facilities, or schools. Migrants who are arrested may be given the option to leave the country and avoid facing charges, as determined by a judge. Similar legislation cracking down on illegal immigration has also been proposed in Louisiana, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. The most notable comparison is with Texas’ SB 4, signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, which allows police to arrest illegal immigrants and for judges to order their deportation as part of Operation Lone Star.
The Biden administration has challenged these state laws, arguing that they encroach on federal territory. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has blocked the Texas law, and oral arguments have been presented in a court case regarding its legality. Louisiana has introduced a similar measure, SB 388, which would make it a crime for illegal immigrants to enter or re-enter the state after being deported, punishable by up to a year in prison and a fine. The bill also allows for the creation of an interstate compact with Texas to address issues related to illegal immigration that threaten the safety and security of Louisiana citizens.
SB 388 was approved by a Senate committee in Louisiana and is expected to pass through the Republican-controlled legislature and be signed into law by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry. State Sen. Valarie Hodges, who introduced the bill, cited the need for action due to the open border and lack of federal government enforcement. These state laws reflect a growing trend of Republican-led efforts to crackdown on illegal immigration in response to what some see as inadequate enforcement at the federal level.]+=
