Thread: Iowa Lawmakers Begin Immigration Enforcement Debate

Iowa Lawmakers Begin Immigration Enforcement Debate

February 6, 2012, 5:32 pm
By Dave Franzman/SourceMedia Group News

MARION-Immigration policy may be a federal issue. But on Monday, Iowa lawmakers began debating a bill that would require both state and even local law enforcement to investigate complaints about illegal workers.

The bill in question is HF 2156 and 38 Republicans as well as three Democrats have signed on as co-sponsors. A subcommittee met late Monday to begin work on the legislation.

The bill would allow anyone to file a complaint with the Iowa Attorney General’s office or even a local county prosecutor. Verified complaints would be reported to federal immigration officials and employers who commit more than one violation could lose state business licenses.

Former Marion Mayor John Nieland thinks the proposed legislation is a great idea. In 2007, Nieland authorized Marion Police to send an officer to special training to deal with immigration issues. Nieland said he got involved on the local level then because of complaints from area contractors about unfair competition from companies using undocumented workers.

“It’s almost identical to what I suggested we do,” Nieland said adding “I’m really happy state legislators are at least looking at it now.”

Pat Lang, owner of P.Lang Construction, is also a supporter of the proposed state law. Lang who employs about 20 people said the unfair competition with others who employ undocumented workers is as much of a problem now as when former Marion Mayor Nieland made it an issue.

The legislation would require employers to use the federal “e-verify” system to check the legal employment status of anyone applying for a job. Lang said going after a business license for those who repeatedly violate the rules would send a message.

“This is truly something that has to be dealt with. I’m glad and support this first step wholeheartedly,” Lang said.

But opponents argue getting the state involved in what is a federal issue is not a good idea that would encourage racial profiling and drain local law enforcement resources.

That fear of draining local resources is the reason the Iowa Attorney General’s office is on record as opposing the bill. A spokesperson estimates enforcing such a law would cost the office nearly $200,000 a year in expenses to investigate even a modest number of complaints.

Iowa Lawmakers Begin Immigration Enforcement Debate | Eastern Iowa Government

Bill sets up illegal immigrant hiring reporting


By ANDREW DUFFELMEYER Associated Press 4:10 p.m. CST, February 6, 2012

DES MOINES,Iowa—


A bill that allows anyone to file a complaint with the attorney general's office alleging a business is employing an illegal immigrant was approved by a House panel on Monday.

Lawmakers voted to move forward with the bill, which requires the attorney general, county attorneys and local police to investigate the complaints. They backed the measure despite opposition from lobbyists and the attorney general's chief of staff.

Rep. Julian Garrett, R-Indianola, authored the bill, and said the goal is to create a deterrent for illegal workers. Verified complaints would be reported to federal Immigration officials, and employers could lose their business licenses.

"What it will accomplish is as soon as it becomes known that it's Iowa law, the people that work here illegally won't even apply for jobs," Garrett said.

The bill also requires employers to use a federal electronic worker verification system. Rep. Gary Worthan, a Storm Lake Republican and chairman of the justice budget committee, said that's a good goal.

"You have businesses that are taking unfair advantage," said Worthan, who is co-sponsoring the measure. "If they're employing illegal immigrants, they have an advantage over businesses that are doing things correctly."

But Iowa Attorney General Chief of Staff Eric Tabor told lawmakers that it is not the role of state, county or local officials to enforce Immigration law, and the attorney general's office would likely need more staff to cover the responsibilities outlined in the bill.

"What this bill does is imposes a substantial burden on the attorney general's office and the county attorney and presumably on police to do these investigations," Tabor said.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 17 states now require employers to use the e-verify system, including neighboring Missouri and Nebraska. Some states only require public employers and contractors to use the system. The free system was used more than 17 million times in the 2011 fiscal year by more than 300,000 employers, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Ben Stone, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, said the verification system is flawed, as is the proposed legislation.

"It's really kind of a clumsy attempt to get the officers of the state of Iowa to get involved in enforcing Immigration law, which is really the job of the federal government," Stone said.

And Adam Mason, state policy director for Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, said the bill is reminiscent of controversial Immigration laws in Arizona and Alabama. He also said the bill could lead to racial profiling.

"That's a huge concern for the Latino community who is here legally," Mason said.

Garrett noted the bill doesn't allow for claims based on race, color or national origin, and he doesn't believe the measure would put a strain on law enforcement.

Rep. Mary Wolfe, from Clinton, is one of a handful of Democrats co-sponsoring the legislation. She said several people in her community asked her to examine the situation, though she is unsure if it's the right solution.

"I think it's a good conversation to have," Wolfe said.

Mason said this is a unique instance where his group is likely aligned with industry and agriculture lobbyists in their concerns about the effects the measure may have on employers. But John Gilliland, a lobbyist for the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, said his group is undecided on the measure. A spokeswoman for the Iowa Farm Bureau didn't return a message.

Garrett believes the measure will gain approval, as a total of 38 Republicans and three Democrats in the House are co-sponsoring it. It then would move to the Senate, where Democrats hold a narrow majority.

Bill sets up illegal immigrant hiring reporting - chicagotribune.com

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