A new law passed by Republican lawmakers and signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds criminalizes "illegal reentry" into the state, tasking Iowa officers with arresting undocumented immigrants who have previously been deported.
But police chiefs across the state say they lack both guidance from the state and the resources and training to take on responsibilities normally held by federal officers.
And they expressed clear misgivings about whether they would be able to enforce the law.
"We weren't consulted on it," said Greg Stallman, the legislative chair for the Iowa Police Chiefs Association and chief in Altoona. "So we're unaware of what the intent of this legislation is, or what they're trying to get accomplished."
Senate File 2340 has been touted by Reynolds as a response to the Biden administration on immigration, granting Iowa officers the power to "enforce immigration laws already on the books."
It creates the new state crime of "illegal reentry," applied to anyone who has previously been deported, removed or denied admission to the United States.
In most cases, the offense is an aggravated misdemeanor, which carries a two-year prison sentence. In certain circumstances, it can rise to a class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison. If the person had been previously arrested for another felony, it can become a class C felony, with up to 10 years of prison time. The law takes effect July 1.
As she defended the law in comments to reporters Wednesday, the governor said law enforcement had been briefed before it was signed.
"Well make no mistake, we talked to them," Reynolds said. "We talked to them before we implemented it."
She pledged to continue communicating with police about the measure and, if necessary, provide additional guidance.
"Of course we'll continue to work with them," Reynolds said. "And if we need additional legislation or if we need to provide rulemaking authority or whatever we need to do, we'll work with (Public Safety) Commissioner (Stephan) Bayens and we'll make sure that information gets out to law enforcement.
POLITICS
Galen Bacharier
Des Moines Register
A new law passed by Republican lawmakers and signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds criminalizes "illegal reentry" into the state, tasking Iowa officers with arresting undocumented immigrants who have previously been deported.
But police chiefs across the state say they lack both guidance from the state and the resources and training to take on responsibilities normally held by federal officers.
And they expressed clear misgivings about whether they would be able to enforce the law.
"We weren't consulted on it," said Greg Stallman, the legislative chair for the Iowa Police Chiefs Association and chief in Altoona. "So we're unaware of what the intent of this legislation is, or what they're trying to get accomplished."
Senate File 2340 has been touted by Reynolds as a response to the Biden administration on immigration, granting Iowa officers the power to "enforce immigration laws already on the books."
It creates the new state crime of "illegal reentry," applied to anyone who has previously been deported, removed or denied admission to the United States.
In most cases, the offense is an aggravated misdemeanor, which carries a two-year prison sentence. In certain circumstances, it can rise to a class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison. If the person had been previously arrested for another felony, it can become a class C felony, with up to 10 years of prison time. The law takes effect July 1.
More:Justice Department warns it will sue if Iowa tries to enforce its new immigration law
As she defended the law in comments to reporters Wednesday, the governor said law enforcement had been briefed before it was signed.
"Well make no mistake, we talked to them," Reynolds said. "We talked to them before we implemented it."
She pledged to continue communicating with police about the measure and, if necessary, provide additional guidance.
"Of course we'll continue to work with them," Reynolds said. "And if we need additional legislation or if we need to provide rulemaking authority or whatever we need to do, we'll work with (Public Safety) Commissioner (Stephan) Bayens and we'll make sure that information gets out to law enforcement.
"But at least it begins to give them a tool to address," she added, "and it just, it sends a message."
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Justice wrote to Reynolds and Attorney General Brenna Bird that the department would sue to block the law if it was still being enforced on May 7.
Multiple current and former police chiefs who spoke to the Des Monies Register said the responsibilities laid out for officers in the law were beyond both their resources and their management capabilities.
But police chiefs across the state say they lack both guidance from the state and the resources and training to take on responsibilities normally held by federal officers.
And they expressed clear misgivings about whether they would be able to enforce the law.
"We weren't consulted on it," said Greg Stallman, the legislative chair for the Iowa Police Chiefs Association and chief in Altoona. "So we're unaware of what the intent of this legislation is, or what they're trying to get accomplished."
Senate File 2340 has been touted by Reynolds as a response to the Biden administration on immigration, granting Iowa officers the power to "enforce immigration laws already on the books."
It creates the new state crime of "illegal reentry," applied to anyone who has previously been deported, removed or denied admission to the United States.
In most cases, the offense is an aggravated misdemeanor, which carries a two-year prison sentence. In certain circumstances, it can rise to a class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison. If the person had been previously arrested for another felony, it can become a class C felony, with up to 10 years of prison time. The law takes effect July 1.
As she defended the law in comments to reporters Wednesday, the governor said law enforcement had been briefed before it was signed.
"Well make no mistake, we talked to them," Reynolds said. "We talked to them before we implemented it."
She pledged to continue communicating with police about the measure and, if necessary, provide additional guidance.
"Of course we'll continue to work with them," Reynolds said. "And if we need additional legislation or if we need to provide rulemaking authority or whatever we need to do, we'll work with (Public Safety) Commissioner (Stephan) Bayens and we'll make sure that information gets out to law enforcement.
POLITICS
Iowa's new immigration law relies on local police, but many doubt they can enforce it
Galen BacharierDes Moines Register
A new law passed by Republican lawmakers and signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds criminalizes "illegal reentry" into the state, tasking Iowa officers with arresting undocumented immigrants who have previously been deported.
But police chiefs across the state say they lack both guidance from the state and the resources and training to take on responsibilities normally held by federal officers.
And they expressed clear misgivings about whether they would be able to enforce the law.
"We weren't consulted on it," said Greg Stallman, the legislative chair for the Iowa Police Chiefs Association and chief in Altoona. "So we're unaware of what the intent of this legislation is, or what they're trying to get accomplished."
Senate File 2340 has been touted by Reynolds as a response to the Biden administration on immigration, granting Iowa officers the power to "enforce immigration laws already on the books."
It creates the new state crime of "illegal reentry," applied to anyone who has previously been deported, removed or denied admission to the United States.
In most cases, the offense is an aggravated misdemeanor, which carries a two-year prison sentence. In certain circumstances, it can rise to a class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison. If the person had been previously arrested for another felony, it can become a class C felony, with up to 10 years of prison time. The law takes effect July 1.
More:Justice Department warns it will sue if Iowa tries to enforce its new immigration law
As she defended the law in comments to reporters Wednesday, the governor said law enforcement had been briefed before it was signed.
"Well make no mistake, we talked to them," Reynolds said. "We talked to them before we implemented it."
She pledged to continue communicating with police about the measure and, if necessary, provide additional guidance.
"Of course we'll continue to work with them," Reynolds said. "And if we need additional legislation or if we need to provide rulemaking authority or whatever we need to do, we'll work with (Public Safety) Commissioner (Stephan) Bayens and we'll make sure that information gets out to law enforcement.
"But at least it begins to give them a tool to address," she added, "and it just, it sends a message."
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Justice wrote to Reynolds and Attorney General Brenna Bird that the department would sue to block the law if it was still being enforced on May 7.
Multiple current and former police chiefs who spoke to the Des Monies Register said the responsibilities laid out for officers in the law were beyond both their resources and their management capabilities.
