Iowa law enforcement officers could face prison time or lose their professional certifications if they fail to comply with federal immigration officials under a proposed bill in the Iowa House.
The legislation would make it a felony for officers who do not comply with ICE detainer requests. These requests ask local police to hold individuals for 48 hours after their scheduled release while federal agents determine whether to take them into custody.
Bill HSB 285 Sparks Debate
Republican State Representative Steve Holt of Crawford County supports the bill, arguing it is necessary to protect public safety.
“Any officer sworn to uphold the law who would dare suggest that concerns about imaginary lawsuits or wording details should override the safety of Iowans I have to call BS,” Holt said.
However, some lawmakers have questioned the state’s involvement in immigration enforcement.
Dubuque Democratic State Representative Lindsey James expressed concern about the issue.
“I’d like to see what happens on a federal level before wading into the complexities around this particular issue,” she said.
Local Sheriff Pushes Back
Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx has stated he will not assist federal immigration officials unless they present a judge-issued warrant.
His stance has drawn criticism from Republican lawmakers.
“It’s unfortunate that one individual wanted his five minutes of fame and made an absolutely ridiculous statement,” said Rep. Skyler Wheeler (R-Hull) during a subcommittee meeting. “Not only did he put his county at risk of losing funds, but he also increased the risk of crime.”
Despite the controversy, on Tuesday, Holt withdrew a separate bill that would have required local police departments to partner with ICE.
For more updates on legislative developments, visit Nebraska News.
