Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds took action on Wednesday by signing a bill that officially designates illegal immigration as a state crime.
Senate File 2340 proposes to classify illegal immigration as an aggravated misdemeanor under two specific conditions: first, if the individual has been denied entry to or has been excluded, deported, or removed from the United States, and second, if the person was previously deported and subsequently reentered the country after leaving while under a deportation or removal order.
If a person was removed from the U.S. after a misdemeanor conviction involving drugs or crimes against a person, or if the person was subject to alien terrorist removal procedures, the charges would be increased to a Class D felony. In the case of a removal after a felony conviction, a Class C felony would apply. The bill grants judges the authority to issue an order for the removal of a person convicted from the United States.
The bill prohibits the arrest of undocumented immigrants when they are attending school, worshiping at a church, or receiving medical treatment at a healthcare facility.
According to Governor Reynolds, the Biden Administration has neglected its duty to uphold immigration laws, thereby compromising the safety and security of Iowans. She asserts that individuals who enter the country illegally have violated the law, yet President Biden refuses to deport them. The proposed bill aims to empower Iowa law enforcement to carry out the enforcement of existing immigration laws, a responsibility that the administration has been unwilling to undertake.
The Texas lawmakers have recently passed a measure that bears resemblance to the one in question. Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans reviewed arguments regarding SB 4, which was ultimately upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, the appeals court overturned their previous decision and mandated a hearing.
Other states are also considering enacting similar laws. Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall has recently proposed introducing a similar law in Oklahoma. Similarly, Arizona lawmakers have already passed the ‘Arizona Border Invasion Act,’ but unfortunately, it was vetoed by Gov. Katie Hobbs.
President Joe Biden’s immigration policies have come under scrutiny, with critics questioning his approach. In a recent interview with Univision, the president admitted that his administration is uncertain about the extent of his power to issue an executive order on immigration. This revelation, reported by the New York Post, has raised concerns and sparked further debate on the subject.
The law will come into effect on July 1st.