A proposed bill that would have required local law enforcement in Iowa to assist federal immigration authorities in cracking down on undocumented immigration will not be moving forward.
The bill aimed to mandate participation in the voluntary Section 287(g) program, allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to delegate enforcement duties to local police. This would have granted local law enforcement the authority to execute search warrants, arrest suspected undocumented immigrants, and conduct jail interrogations on behalf of ICE.
State Rep. Steve Holt (R-Denison) announced he is withdrawing the bill due to concerns from law enforcement agencies. He expressed reservations about the impact on local police resources, stating that requiring officers to take on federal immigration duties could affect overall public safety.
“If they were mandated to do this and didn’t have the manpower, that could impact other aspects of public safety. That was the biggest concern for me,” Holt said.
Erica Johnson, with Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, welcomed the bill’s withdrawal.
“We’re glad that it’s not advancing. It’s good for Iowa, it’s good for immigrants, it’s good for our communities, it’s good for public safety,” Johnson said.
While she considers the bill’s failure a victory, Johnson expects lawmakers to continue introducing legislation targeting undocumented immigration.
“When we say that there should be no hate in our state, we mean for everyone. When we say that Iowa should be more welcoming and inclusive, we mean for everyone. We know there’s more work to do, so we won’t be letting our guard down,” she said.
In place of the withdrawn bill, Holt has introduced a new proposal that would penalize law enforcement officers who do not comply with ICE detainer requests.
The new legislation, HSB 285, would require local police to hold individuals for up to 48 hours after their scheduled release if ICE requests it. Officers who fail to comply could face felony charges and decertification by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.
Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx has previously stated that his department will only assist ICE if federal agents provide a warrant issued by a judge.
