Iowans plan protests against new law allowing arrest of undocumented immigrants, similar to Texas bill

Iowans are preparing to take to the streets on May 1st to voice their opposition to a new immigration law, passed in mid-April, which seems to take a page out of Texas' book by also allowing state law enforcement officers to arrest undocumented migrants.

Two weeks ago, the bill signed into law by Republican Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds criminalized being present in the state after deportation, denial of entry to the United States, or issuance of an outstanding deportation order.

Scheduled to take effect on July 1, the law bears resemblance to Texas' contentious legislation, permitting state authorities to apprehend and hold individuals suspected of being undocumented immigrants. However, Texas bill is presently under federal appeals court scrutiny regarding its constitutionality.

Iowa activists for immigration rights and civil organizations have begun to organize a demonstration in several Iowa cities against Senate File 2340, the bill in question.

Erica Johnson, who serves as the executive director of the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, said that the bill exceeds its bounds, as cited in an article by a local outlet. She emphasized that Iowa law enforcement officials lack the authorization to enforce it.

"This is a pretty clear intervention into federal territory," Johnson added. "U.S. immigration law is governed by federal law."

Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice is sponsoring a demonstration in Stewart Square Park, in the city of Des Moines, on May 1st at 6 pm, under the slogan 'May Day Human Rights March.'

"Stand together to honor immigrants and refugees who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and to stand against immigration SF2340," a post on their Facebook account invites.

"What we need is communities that are safe, where workers have access to dignified, safe workplaces," Johnson added. "The truth of what Iowa's future could be depends on immigrants and immigrant workers in our state, and unfortunately, this law could take us back, away from that possible future."

In Waterloo, a similar demonstration is set to occur on May 1st, coinciding with Worker's Day, sponsored by Queen of Peace Parish and Waterloo Hispanic Ministry.

The event will be held at 7 p.m. in the parking lot behind Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Participants will march a block east to Lincoln Park where there will be a short program and prayer service.

The Rev. Nils Jesus Hernandez, pastor of Queen of Peace and director of the parish's Hispanic ministry, said to the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier that the main purpose of the demonstration is to highlight the detrimental effects the new law will impose on the immigrant community.

The pastor, who was born in Nicaragua, and has been a citizen of the U.S. since 2001, explained that the demonstration also aims to reaffirm that immigrants are valued and welcomed in Iowa, according to the outlet. "Our immigrant people are left alone and are disturbed by this new law," he said.