Gov. Kim Reynolds Signs Bill Making Illegal Entry into Iowa a State Crime
In a bold move to enforce immigration limits outside the federal system, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law on Wednesday that will make it a state crime for a person to enter Iowa after having been deported or denied entry into the United States.
The new law, set to take effect on July 1, joins Iowa with Texas in seeking to crack down on illegal immigration. Governor Reynolds, a Republican, criticized the Biden administration for failing to secure the U.S.-Mexico border and putting Americans at risk.
“The Biden administration has failed to enforce our nation’s immigration laws, putting the protection and safety of Iowans at risk,” Governor Reynolds stated. “This bill gives Iowa law enforcement the power to do what he is unwilling to do: enforce immigration laws already on the books.”
A White House spokesman defended the administration’s approach to the border, stating that federal officials had already removed or returned hundreds of thousands of people from the United States this year. However, Governor Reynolds and other Republicans argue that more needs to be done to secure the border.
The new law makes it a misdemeanor for a person to enter Iowa if they were previously deported, denied entry, or left the country while facing a deportation order. In some cases, the state crime could become a felony, especially for individuals with certain prior convictions. Iowa police officers will be allowed to make arrests in most places to enforce the law, except in schools, places of worship, or health care facilities.
Despite opposition from some Democrats in the Iowa Legislature, the bill passed with strong Republican support. State Representative Steven Holt, a Republican who backed the bill, emphasized the importance of states taking action to protect their citizens.
“Many other states are standing up to protect their sovereignty, and their citizens, and Iowa must do the same,” said Representative Holt.
The signing of this law signals that Republicans, even in states far from the border like Iowa, are prioritizing immigration issues in this election year. Governor Reynolds has also shown support for Governor Greg Abbott’s efforts in Texas to police the border.
However, the Iowa law, like a similar one in Texas, may face legal challenges as it seeks to carve out a state role in policing illegal immigration, traditionally the responsibility of federal law enforcement. The Biden administration has criticized the Texas law as an unconstitutional overreach of state authority.
Other states, such as Arizona and Louisiana, are also considering similar measures to crack down on illegal immigration. The debate over immigration enforcement is likely to continue as states grapple with the issue on their own terms.
