Governor Kim Reynolds’ bill to tighten laws around checking the immigration status of state hires and restricting bail for people without legal status has advanced Tuesday through a House subcommittee.
The bill supported by Republicans, would codify Reynolds’ executive order requiring state agencies and boards to ensure new state hires and license applicants are authorized to work in the U.S.
It would also establish a presumption that people without legal status who are charged with a crime would be held in jail before trial. A defendant could challenge that by demonstrating they’ll appear for their trial.
Lisa Davis-Cook with the Iowa Association for Justice says under the state constitution, all people – not just all citizens – should be eligible for bail in most cases.
“When someone is arrested that’s only an accusation. They have not been convicted. So keeping them in jail before a conviction has serious consequences,” said Davis-Cook.
The bill would also require Iowans to swear they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote. The governor’s legislative liaison says the bill will help improve public safety.
Molly Severn is Reynolds’ legislative liaison, said “With millions of Biden-era illegal immigrants in our country, public safety threats are a reality in every state. The governor intends to codify executive action she has already taken and build on it so that all Iowans can continue to build a life in safety and security.”
