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The Iowa Standard was told that, as far as one state legislator knows, all Iowa sheriffs are now cooperating with ICE detainer requests.

The bill, which imposes financial sanctions against local governments that are providing sanctuary to illegal immigrants rather than cooperating with ICE officials in enforcing federal laws in Iowa.

It was a contentious issue two years ago and remained a point of contention during debate on E-Verify last year.

Last year, Sen. Joe Bolkcom (D-Iowa City) criticized the previous year’s legislation.
“Last year the Republican caucus moved a bill that was nothing more than a postcard on the issue of sanctuary cities,” he said. “We actually didn’t have any sanctuary cities in Iowa. (It was) a law opposed by every law enforcement agency in the state. (It) was just kind of a piece of paper that didn’t really mean anything.”
However, on March 6, 2017,KCRG reported the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department would not honor voluntary detainer requests. Here is the full statement:

 

“The Johnson County Sheriff will not honor voluntary detainer requests nor will the Sheriff’s Office assist United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) in immigration enforcement raids. The Board of Supervisors supports the County Sheriff’s position. Further, it is the position of the Board of Supervisors that the County will not assist I.C.E. in immigration enforcement raids. Nothing in this statement will preclude County offices in assisting or participating in lawful warrants and criminal investigations, nor will this statement preclude Department of Homeland Security grant-procured items from being used as required by law.”

Also, at the time the bill was passed, the Polk County Sheriff said he would not honor an ICE detainer unless there was a warrant issued by a judge.

Most sheriffs were already cooperating with ICE, but there were reportedly about two dozen who were not.

Since the law was passed, it is believed by Republican legislators that all are now cooperating with ICE detainer requests.

Author: Jacob Hall

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