DAVENPORT, Iowa — Community and faith groups gathered on Wednesday, May 1 across the state of Iowa to protest a state immigration bill recently signed into law.
Senate File 2340 makes it a crime to re-enter the state if a person has been previously denied entry. It also allows local law enforcement to arrest people who are in the U.S. illegally.
Protests were held in Des Moines, Waterloo, Iowa City and in the Quad Cities. Dozens met outside the St. Anthony Catholic Church in downtown Davenport, with some waving signs to cars passing by. "It's important for me to speak, because I want to show that I not only care about my community, but I can stand behind them as well," St. Ambrose student Laney Gonzalez said, who is the child of immigrant parents.
In addition to the criminal charge for illegal immigration in Iowa, the law lets judges order the person to be deported at their initial court appearance after the arrest. "If people are willing to make sacrifices to come over here and work hard, and be able to live here, I think we should give them a chance." Gonzalez said.
When the bill was still on the debate floor in March, some lawmakers argued it's a necessary step. "Every state is a border state. Iowa is no exception. I-35 provides a direct route from the southern border to Iowa," State Sen. Jeff Reichman, R-Lee County said.
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) State Director Daniel Salazar was also at the protest. "This is not fair in any way to the people who are here trying to make a living, trying to contribute," Salazar said, adding that lawmakers should focus instead on making it easier for immigrants to gain citizenship.
"Give them that opportunity to do things well," he said.
The law won't take effect until July 1 but could face legal challenges just like a similar law in Texas is facing right now. "That's why we're out here protesting to show that, we're better, we can do it, you know," Gonzalez said.
Davenport Police Chief Jeffrey Bladel gave a written statement to LULAC, saying the department is committed to safety and security for all residents, regardless of immigration status. He wrote "our department's policies are designed to ensure fairness and impartiality at all times, and enforcement based on immigration status has never been a practice of this department."