Iowa immigration bills given little chance of approval
JASON CLAYWORTH • jclayworth@dmreg.com • February 10, 2009
in some instances have little chance of advancing, a key lawmaker acknowledged.
The Iowa attorney general would negotiate with federal officials about the enforcement of federal immigration laws, including the detention of illegal residents, under House File 107. In addition, the bill would require an agreement in which the state is reimbursed by the federal government for costs.
The second bill, House File 109, would develop a database to provide information to employers or state agencies on the immigration status or citizenship of a person.
Members of groups such as the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund said some parts of the bills could lead to racial profiling and infringe upon civil rights of all citizens. The only group to register public support for either bill is the Iowa Minuteman Civil Defense Corps.
Ross Loder, a lobbyist for the state’s public safety department, said the state doesn’t have access to many federal immigration databases. Creation of an Iowa-only system would offer little assistance because tracking federal progress
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