The United States Department of Justice is threatening to sue
the State of Iowa.
It says the immigration law Governor Reynolds signed this spring
criminalizing illegal reentry is unconstitutional.
KC is Bo Bobin joins us now with reaction from
the Governor Bo Well Ben,
The DOJ sent this letter to Governor Reynolds and Iowa
Attorney General Brenda Byrd stating they will file a lawsuit
against Iowa unless the state agrees to refrain from enforcing
the law. Reynolds signed the law in April.
It allows Iowa officers to arrest undocumented immigrants who have
previously been deported.
Convicted, a judge could order them deported back into their
home country.
Officials at the DOJ say the law quote,
creates a separate state immigration scheme that intrudes into a
field that is occupied by the federal government.
It's similar to a law in Texas where the federal
government government was able to temporarily block enforcement while a
lawsuit plays out.
Governor Reynolds office sent us a statement that reads quote,
The only reason we had to pass this law is
because the Biden administration.
Refused to enforce the laws already on the books.
I have the duty to protect the citizens of Iowa.
Unlike the federal government, we will respect the rule of
law and enforce it.
The League of United Latin American Citizens says they should
leave this to the federal government.
The Attorney General for Iowa needs to act on this
and make a strong recommendation to the governor that she
cannot implement this law,
that it needs to be removed.
Attorney General Brenna Byrd also sent us a statement today
with a message for the federal government that reads in
part.
Iowa will not back down and stand by as our
state safety hangs in the balance.
If Biden refuses to stop the border invasion and keep
our community safe,
Iowa will do the job for him.
The DOJ says the state of Iowa has until Tuesday
to agree to refrain from enforcing the law until they
file the suit.