Iowa House panel votes to bolster Iowa immigration enforcement

DES MOINES - Over vociferous objections Thursday, Republicans on a House panel approved a bill aimed at curbing 'sanctuary” policies where state or local officials and institutions don't share information or cooperate with federal authorities in enforcing immigration laws.

'This is about the rule of law, pure and simple,” said Rep. Steven Holt, R-Denison, in defending legislation that was criticized by opponents attending the House Public Safety subcommittee meeting as unnecessary, unwelcoming, mean-spirited and racially charged.

House Study Bill 67 would prohibit the state, its cities, counties, publicly funded colleges and any of their agencies, officers or employees from adopting or enforcing any rule or procedure that restricts the enforcement of any immigration statute to the fullest extent of federal law.

In Iowa City, the council has rejected calls it declare the community a sanctuary city, but did recently try to underscore its support for immigrants and international visitors.

City Attorney Eleanor Dilkes reviewed the legislation and said she's keep an eye on it.

'My initial reaction is that while the bill is ambiguous in a number of respects, Iowa City's recent reaffirmation that city resources will continue to be used for public safety and not the enforcement of federal immigration law in the absence of state or federal law to the contrary would not be affected if this bill were to become law,” she wrote in an email.

The bill specifies the prohibition would apply to the Board of Regents and its institutions, community colleges and any other postsecondary educational institutions in Iowa that get state funds.

Last December, University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld joined other college presidents nationwide in supporting the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and 'undocumented immigrant students.”

Thursday, he said the university would not give itself a 'sanctuary' label.

'I actually think it's dangerous for our students because we put that label on ourselves - but what does it mean?” he asked. 'It gives a false sense of security.”

The House measure also would prohibit the state, cities or counties from withholding information about a person's immigration status. Law enforcement officials also couldn't be prohibited from gathering such information.

'I believe that it is un-Iowan to pass this bill,” said Monica Reyes, a University of Northern Iowa alumnus who works in Des Moines as a mortgage lender. 'I cannot imagine what kind of fear it would instill into our youth.”

Other Iowans in attendance expressed concern the bill would chill communications between community members and law enforcement officers that prevent crime, adversely impact Iowans involved in domestic violence situations and create conflicts for Iowa's religious leaders in ministering to immigrants in the state both legally and illegally.

Holt countered that the bill is intended to bring order to the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws, but rejected committee member Newton Democratic Rep. Wes Breckinridge's suggestion the subcommittee table the proposal until representatives get testimony from law officers in favor of moving the measure to full committee for consideration.

'This bill is coming from thousands of Iowans who are demanding that immigration laws be enforced and it is not mean-spirited or racist to enforce the law. It is not aimed at any community. It is aimed at enforcing the rule of law,” Holt said.

Madison Arnold and Vanessa Miller of The Gazette contributed to this report.