Federal judge upholds block on Iowa immigration law

It’s been over a year since Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a law making it a state crime for someone previously denied admission or removed from the U.S. to be in Iowa.As of Thursday night, it’s not any closer to taking effect, as a federal judge upheld the injunction blocking it. That injunction came after immigrant advocacy groups like the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (Iowa MMJ) and the ACLU of Iowa filed a lawsuit in 2024. But one of the lawmakers behind the law says this isn’t the end of the road.”States have a right to defend themselves,” said Republican state Rep. Steven Holt. “As long as Republicans are in charge, we’re going to continue to do that.”Holt said the law was originally inspired by a similar piece of legislation out of Texas during the Biden administration. Specifically, he says this law defends Iowans from an “invasion” of illegal immigrants.”We’ve had American citizens dying. We’ve had citizens in Iowa dying at the hands of some criminal, illegal aliens,” he said. Immigrant advocacy groups say the law unfairly targets immigrants with previous immigration violations, even if they’re currently here legally. But Holt said someone’s status makes a huge difference.”A person who comes into the country illegally does not have the same protections as an American citizen or the same protections as individuals who come into the country legally,” he said. Although this isn’t the first time a judge has upheld an injunction blocking the bill, Holt says he hopes Iowa’s Attorney General Brenna Bird will continue to fight for the legislation.”If we do not succeed, then we will figure out a different way,” he said. KCCI reached out to the ACLU and Iowa MMJ for interviews. Iowa MMJ declined and the ACLU didn’t have anyone available.In a news release, though, the founding executive director for Iowa MMJ, Erica Johnson, said this decision is a win for Iowa’s immigrant and refugee communities. “The court’s decision confirms that key members of our community should never have been criminalized simply for being here and living their lives in peace. This ruling restores a sense of safety and dignity to people who call Iowa home,” the release states. You can read the full release here. » Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play

DES MOINES, Iowa —

It’s been over a year since Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a law making it a state crime for someone previously denied admission or removed from the U.S. to be in Iowa.

As of Thursday night, it’s not any closer to taking effect, as a federal judge upheld the injunction blocking it.

That injunction came after immigrant advocacy groups like the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (Iowa MMJ) and the ACLU of Iowa filed a lawsuit in 2024.

But one of the lawmakers behind the law says this isn’t the end of the road.

“States have a right to defend themselves,” said Republican state Rep. Steven Holt. “As long as Republicans are in charge, we’re going to continue to do that.”

Holt said the law was originally inspired by a similar piece of legislation out of Texas during the Biden administration.

Specifically, he says this law defends Iowans from an “invasion” of illegal immigrants.

“We’ve had American citizens dying. We’ve had citizens in Iowa dying at the hands of some criminal, illegal aliens,” he said.

Immigrant advocacy groups say the law unfairly targets immigrants with previous immigration violations, even if they’re currently here legally.

But Holt said someone’s status makes a huge difference.

“A person who comes into the country illegally does not have the same protections as an American citizen or the same protections as individuals who come into the country legally,” he said.

Although this isn’t the first time a judge has upheld an injunction blocking the bill, Holt says he hopes Iowa’s Attorney General Brenna Bird will continue to fight for the legislation.

“If we do not succeed, then we will figure out a different way,” he said.

KCCI reached out to the ACLU and Iowa MMJ for interviews. Iowa MMJ declined and the ACLU didn’t have anyone available.

In a news release, though, the founding executive director for Iowa MMJ, Erica Johnson, said this decision is a win for Iowa’s immigrant and refugee communities.

“The court’s decision confirms that key members of our community should never have been criminalized simply for being here and living their lives in peace. This ruling restores a sense of safety and dignity to people who call Iowa home,” the release states.

You can read the full release here.

» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page

» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play