DOJ Threatens Legal Action Against Iowa Over Immigration Legislation

DOJ Threatens Legal Action Against Iowa Over Immigration Legislation

Iowa was forewarned on Friday by the Department of Justice (DOJ) that if the state enacts an immigration law that prohibits individuals from entering the state if they have previously been denied admission into the United States, they will be sued.

The DOJ notified state Attorney General Brenna Bird and Governor Kim Reynolds, the two most powerful people in Iowa, that if the Hawkeye State implements SF 2340—a law that criminalizes entry into the state for anyone who has been deported or has been previously removed from the United States—it will file a lawsuit by May 7.

Reynolds stated that since it is her “duty” to safeguard Iowans, the legislation will be upheld.

“The only reason we had to pass this law is because the Biden Administration refuses to enforce the laws already on the books,” Reynolds stated in a Friday post on X . “I have a duty to protect the citizens of Iowa. Unlike the federal government, we will respect the rule of law and enforce it.”

The DOJ letter claimed Iowa’s statute violates both the Immigration and Nationality Act and the Constitution. It was originally made public by the Des Moines Register.

The DOJ letter, which was first made public by the Des Moines Register, claimed that Iowa’s legislation was unconstitutional and in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Brian Boynton, principal deputy assistant U.S. attorney general, stated in a letter that “SF 2340 is preempted by federal law and violates the United States Constitution.”

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A distinct state immigration plan is “effectively created,” according to Boynton’s letter, which “intrudes into a field that is occupied by the federal government and is preempted.”

Like Reynolds, Bird hinted that the state will proceed with the measure even in the face of the DOJ’s request.

“Not only has Biden refused to enforce federal immigration laws & secure our border, he is now threatening to block states like IA from enforcing our own laws,” Bird stated Friday on X.

“Our message to Biden is this: IA will not back down & stand by as our state’s safety hangs in the balance. If Biden refuses to stop the border invasion & keep our communities safe, IA will do the job for him.”

The DOJ’s threat of legal action is not baseless.

After Texas approved a statute enabling state law enforcement to efficiently carry out immigration duties and deport those who are thought to be migrants to Mexico, regardless of their place of origin, the department filed a lawsuit against the state earlier this year.

While the legal battle rages on, the law has been suspended.

In addition, the DOJ filed a lawsuit against Texas for erecting big buoys in the Rio Grande to prevent migrants from crossing the river and for installing concertina wire next to the border, claiming that this action hindered the ability of American immigration officials to do their duties.

Even though those challenges are still pending, the DOJ has mainly been successful in getting judges to agree with the department that immigration enforcement is a federal government function.

Republicans have attacked President Biden nationwide, claiming he is not upholding federal law along the southern border.

In February, in response to Biden’s abortion policy, House Republicans impeached Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary of homeland security. A bipartisan agreement that was thwarted in the Senate earlier this year and called for more border controls was also ruined by the House GOP.

The Iowa statute, which Reynolds approved on April 10, will become operative on July 1.

Reference

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With more than two years of expertise in news and analysis, Eileen Stewart is a seasoned reporter. Eileen is a respected voice in this field, well-known for her sharp reporting and insightful analysis. Her writing covers a wide range of subjects, from politics to culture and more.