Judge Blocks Iowa’s Attempt to Enforce Its Own Immigration Laws

A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked Iowa from enforcing a new law, known as Senate File 2340, that makes it a state crime for someone to enter Iowa after being deported or denied entry into the United States. The ruling comes amid a national push by statehouse conservatives to assert authority over illegal immigration, which has long been the domain of the federal government.

“As a matter of politics, the new legislation might be defensible,” Judge Stephen Locher wrote. “As a matter of constitutional law, it is not.”

Iowa is among a few Republican-led states that have enacted a form of state-level immigration enforcement this year, infuriating Biden administration officials who have described the laws as unconstitutional overreach. Iowa officials vowed to appeal the judge’s order granting the preliminary injunction.

“I am disappointed in today’s court decision that blocks Iowa from stopping illegal reentry and keeping our communities safe,” the state attorney general, Brenna Bird, a Republican, said in a statement. “Since Biden refuses to secure our borders, he has left states with no choice but to do the job for him.”

Immigration has become a top issue in this year’s presidential campaign, and federal authorities have seen a surge in migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. Many states with Republican governors, including Iowa, have also sent National Guard troops to Texas to assist with border security.

“Plainly, the Biden administration is failing to do their job and enforce federal immigration laws allowing millions to enter and re-enter without any consequence or delay,” Gov. Kim Reynolds of Iowa, a Republican, said in a statement on Monday. “I signed this bill into law to protect Iowans and our communities from the results of this border crisis: rising crime, overdose deaths and human trafficking.”