Written by James Roberts.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds strengthens state law enforcement’s authority to arrest previously deported or denied illegals.
Iowa’s New Immigration Enforcement Law
On April 10, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 2340, a stringent law that allows state and local law enforcement to arrest individuals who have illegally reentered Iowa after being deported or denied entry. This new legislation, set to take effect on July 1, positions Iowa alongside Texas in taking a proactive stance on immigration enforcement.
Governor Reynolds’ Justification
Governor Reynolds criticized the Biden administration’s lax enforcement of national immigration laws, attributing it to increased risks to the safety and protection of Iowans. “SF 2340 gives Iowa law enforcement the power to do what he is unwilling to do: Enforce immigration laws already on the books,” Reynolds stated. She highlighted that this law empowers Iowa to deport illegal criminals and safeguard state residents.
Legal Immunity and Enforcement Limitations
The Des Moines Register reports that SF 2340 also extends legal immunity to law enforcement and government officials enforcing this measure. However, the law specifies that arrests cannot occur in locations such as schools, places of worship, healthcare facilities, or centers for survivors of sexual assault, reflecting a measure of restraint in its enforcement.
Opposition and Criticism
The Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice and the ACLU’s Iowa chapter have expressed strong opposition to the new law. Critics argue that the law is a political stunt aimed at stirring partisan sentiment and intimidating immigrant communities. Mark Stringer from the ACLU has voiced concerns about the law’s impact on individuals’ rights to seek humanitarian protection.
