DES MOINES – Iowa has a new law targeting illegal immigrants and it has very quickly been challenged in court with a lawsuit from the Iowa ACLU.
Iowa this spring passed a bill (SF 2340) relating to illegal reentry into the state by certain aliens, prohibition on arrest in certain locations, orders to return to a foreign nation, immunity from liability and indemnification for enforcement actions, sentencing restrictions, and providing penalties. Iowa governor Kim Reynolds and Republicans have blamed President Joe Biden and his administration for not being hard enough on illegal immigrants. However, as NIT previously reported, the Biden Administration has deported many thousands of “illegal” immigrants since taking office, and reportedly, more than the prior administration deported. In fact, ICE statistics show over 273,000 deportations since 2021.
In response to this new state law, the ACLU of Iowa of announced, “We’re suing Iowa to block a new law that criminalizes anyone who has reentered the state after being deported —including children—even if they are now authorized to be in the U.S. This is the most extreme anti-immigrant law in our state’s history.”
Gov. Kim Reynolds released the following statement in response to a lawsuit challenging SF 2340:
“As Governor, I have a responsibility to protect the citizens of Iowa. Since President Biden refuses to enforce our nation’s immigration laws – threatening the safety of our citizens – Iowa will step in.”
Iowa, totally under control of Republicans, is now a solid red state with the #36 economy in America and is struggling to add residents. Critics point out that local law enforcement will bear the brunt of enforcing the new anti-immigrant law.
