Lawsuits Over Iowa Immigration Bill Filed by DOJ and Civil Rights Organizations

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and multiple civil rights groups have filed two lawsuits to block an immigration bill in Iowa. Prior to this, the DOJ had issued a warning about suing Iowa over the law, which allows law enforcement to arrest undocumented migrants who have been deported before. The bill was signed by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds in April and also grants power to law enforcement to return undocumented migrants to their home country. The lawsuits argue that the bill does not make exceptions for individuals with federal consent to reenter the U.S. or those in the process of gaining lawful immigration status. They also criticize the lack of opportunity to raise humanitarian claims for protection from removal. Governor Reynolds signed the bill citing the Biden administration’s failure to enforce immigration laws. Similar laws have been passed in Texas and Oklahoma, allowing law enforcement to arrest and remove illegal immigrants from the state.