[Iowa] House approves controversial immigration bill

Illegal immigrants would be unable to bail themselves out of jail and would also encounter a tougher time finding work in Iowa under a proposal approved Wednesday by the Iowa House.

Opponents said the proposal would clog jails, perpetuate stereotypes and fuel hate against immigrants regardless of their legal status.

Republicans predicted the proposal would soon die and called it little more than a Democratic ploy to look tough on immigration during an election year.

"We're passing a political document today against illegal immigration, but you don't need to worry that this will ever become law or reach the governor's desk," said House Minority Leader Christopher Rants, a Sioux City Republican.

Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal, a Council Bluffs Democrat, declined to comment other than to say the Senate would consider the proposal.

Under the proposal, House File 2686, law enforcement officials would have to detain illegal immigrants who have been arrested until charges were resolved or until federal immigration officials took custody of them.

Another part of the proposal would require all new employees at Iowa businesses to obtain a Midwest-issued driver's license or identification card, which supporters say would curb the illegal hiring of undocumented workers.

"The fact is that there are a small number of people in this state who are exploiting undocumented aliens, who are bringing people here illegally in order to exploit them to drive down wages of all Iowans and behave in ways that are outside the norms of Iowa society and culture," said Rep. Phil Wise, a Keokuk Democrat. "That's what this bill is about."

If the proposal becomes law, it will face multiple legal hurdles, including constitutional challenges, opponents said.

"It's unfortunate and reflects poorly on the state of Iowa. I hope it doesn't become the law," said Lori Chesser, an attorney for the Davis Brown law firm in Des Moines who specializes in immigration.

Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, an Ames Democrat, spoke against the proposal, which she said is unnecessary because federal laws already prohibit the illegal hiring of undocumented workers. She noted that Irish immigrants once faced opposition as well.

"Both the U.S. and Iowa have history on the issue and we need to learn from that history and not repeat it," Wessel-Kroeschell said.

Penalties for violations to the proposal are as high as a $7,500 fine and as much as five years in prison.

House File 2686 passed on a 84-16 vote. It now heads to the Senate for more consideration.