Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, signed a Texas-style bill that allows Iowa law enforcement to arrest undocumented immigrants for “illegal reentry” into the state.

Reynolds signed Senate File 2340 Wednesday, which makes it a crime to enter Iowa after being deported or denied entry into the country.

According to a press release from the governor’s office, SF 2340 states: “A bill for an act 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.”

“The Biden Administration has failed to enforce our nation’s immigration laws, putting the protection and safety of Iowans at risk. Those who come into our country illegally have broken the law, yet Biden refuses to deport them. This bill gives Iowa law enforcement the power to do what he is unwilling to do: enforce immigration laws already on the books,” Reynolds said in a statement.

“Today, we give Iowa law enforcement the power to do what Joe Biden won’t: deport illegal criminals to protect our state,” Reynolds said on X.

The bill takes effect on July 1st.

From the Des Moines Register:

Biden has asked Congress to pass a bipartisan federal immigration law that would beef up border spending and give him more authority to combat illegal immigration, but Republicans rejected it after former President Donald Trump condemned it. Reynolds agreed, saying “we don’t need a new law.”

The Texas law that serves as the model for Iowa’s legislation is blocked by the courts while a lawsuit challenging its constitutionality is decided.

The U.S. Justice Department is suing over the Texas law, arguing it unconstitutionally usurps the federal government’s authority to enforce immigration laws and could create chaos in administering the law.

Reynolds has made multiple trips to the U.S.-Mexico border in recent years as she has criticized President Joe Biden’s immigration policies.

Iowa is currently deploying 10 Iowa Department of Public Safety officers and 110 Iowa National Guard soldiers to the border to support Texas’ state law enforcement and military’s immigration efforts.

Zero Hedge noted violation of the measure would be considered an “aggravated misdemeanor” and subject illegal immigrants to up to two years of imprisonment.

The measure signed by Reynolds will surely be challenged in court, similar to Texas.

Per Zero Hedge:

In December, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law making it a state crime to illegally enter the Lone Star State from a foreign nation. Under that law, illegal border crossings are now a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail. Repeat offenses will be a second-degree felony subject to prison sentences from two to 20 years. Judges can kill the charges if an arrested immigrant agrees to go back to Mexico.

Iowa’s law is slated to take effect on July 1, but will certainly be challenged for allegedly exceeding state authority. The Texas law been on a litigation rollercoaster. In the latest move, the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated a lower court’s injunction against enforcement of the law. While all that has been going on, nobody has been arrested under its authority.

 

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