The Iowa authorities are set to gain the authority to arrest and deport illegal immigrants who have previously been denied entry into the United States. The new bill, SF 2340, signed into law by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, is expected to come into effect from July 1.
Under the new legislation, it will be considered a state crime for individuals to be in Iowa if they have outstanding deportation orders, have been previously removed from the U.S., or have been denied admission to Iowa in the past. Governor Reynolds stated that this law is a response to the Biden Administration’s failure to enforce immigration laws, putting the safety of Iowans at risk.
The bill allows Iowa law enforcement to enforce immigration laws that the federal government has neglected to uphold. Once a suspect is in custody, they may be given the option to leave the country or face further charges. However, the order must specify the method of transportation for leaving the country and which law enforcement agency is responsible for ensuring compliance.
Despite support for the bill, activist groups like the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice and the ACLU of Iowa have criticized it as discriminatory and unconstitutional. They argue that it will harm Iowa families and communities and promote racial profiling.
Other states, such as Texas and Louisiana, are also pushing for similar laws to address the influx of illegal immigrants crossing the southern border. Texas has passed a comparable law, while Louisiana is in the process of implementing similar measures. However, the legality of these state-level actions is being challenged by the U.S. Department of Justice for conflicting with federal immigration authority. Please rewrite this sentence.
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