Immigration

HF 2513 prohibits Iowa public colleges and universities from hiring individuals holding valid H-1B visas who are citizens of countries designated as "foreign adversaries" by the U.S. Commerce Secretary or "state sponsors of terrorism" by the U.S. State Secretary. The law applies to institutions of higher education (excluding state board of regents institutions and community colleges) starting July 1, 2026. It requires these institutions to adopt policies preventing employment contracts with affected visa holders. The bill directly impacts hiring practices at Iowa's public universities for specific foreign nationals under federal designations. It does not affect current employment or apply to other visa types or countries not designated under federal criteria.

This bill modifies provisions related to charter schools in Iowa, affecting both their governing boards and student participation in educational programs. It changes the requirements for charter school governing board members, mandating U.S. citizenship for all members and allowing up to one member to reside in another state, while still requiring a majority to live in the school's service area. Additionally, the bill allows students from charter schools and innovation zone schools to access the district-to-community college concurrent enrollment program. These students can access the program through the school district where their charter or innovation zone school is located, or through their district of residence if they attend an online charter or innovation zone school.