A federal judge put a temporary block on the new Iowa immigration law that allows state officials to arrest and remove individuals who have previously been deported, even if they now have a legal basis to be in the country. The judge said immigration laws are controlled by the federal government, not states, so Iowa’s law cannot be enforced for now. The judge also stated that the federal government and other groups who are filing motions against the Iowa law will likely win their challenges against it.

The Iowa law scheduled to start July 1, 2024, makes it illegal to be in Iowa for individuals who have ever been deported. If found guilty, the individual would have to leave the country unless they agree to a plea deal. Iowa officials argued that the federal government doesn’t have a case. The judge disagreed pointing out that the federal government has historically challenged state laws that conflict with federal rules.

The judge also mentioned a similar situation in Texas where courts said Texas’ immigration law is likely unconstitutional because it conflicts with federal law. This means Iowa’s law might also be invalid on the same basis. Furthermore, the Supreme Court previously found that federal immigration laws preempt state laws when it comes to immigration crimes, as shown in the Arizona v. United States case.

If you have any questions about any U.S. immigration-related issue, feel free to reach out to us. Our team of experienced lawyers work with our clients every step of the way in their immigration journeys.