Gov. Kim Reynolds has just signed into law the Sanctuary Cities bill, and local legislators say this often misunderstood legislation had their full support. District 12 House Representative, Brian Best, says much of what was outlined in the bill is already being done.
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Best says a case in Denver, Colo. is an example of why they feel the law is needed. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had issued a request for an illegal immigrant and known gang member to be held, but local authorities released him and he went on to kill another man.
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Best also points out that it is not meant to penalize someone for coming forward, a victim or witness of a crime cannot be asked their immigration status. State Senator for District 6, Mark Segebart, adds it has been said that Iowa does not have any sanctuary cities.
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That fact was driven home to him in 2002, when a railroad grain car was opened in Denison and there were 11 dead immigrants inside. This incident also highlighted the fact that illegal immigration problems are not just coming from over the border in Mexico. When those victims were identified it was found they had come from Central America. Segebart says we need to have a consistent policy to help these people come here to work and live in the right way.
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The new law only applies to cities and counties, not schools. The penalty is a withholding of state funds that may be due to the city or county if an individual is released before ICE picks them up. The city and county would also be liable for any other crimes committed by that offender.