This bill establishes a new criminal offense for smuggling noncitizens in Iowa, making it illegal to knowingly transport or assist noncitizens for payment or benefit under specific circumstances. It prohibits actions like using vehicles to conceal individuals from police, encouraging illegal U.S. entry by hiding people, or guiding groups onto agricultural land without owner consent. Smuggling is generally a class "C" felony, but becomes a more severe class "B" or "A" felony if it involves children, creates serious injury risk, causes death, involves firearms, or results in sexual abuse. The bill includes a defense for close family members (within second degree of blood or marriage) in most cases, except for the most serious violations.
HF 662 allocates $2.5 million from Iowa's general fund to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for fiscal year 2024-2025 to support refugee resettlement services. The funds are specifically for nonprofit resettlement agencies partnering with the U.S. Department of State to assist refugees in Iowa, covering costs like housing, employment, and healthcare. HHS must distribute the money proportionally to each agency based on the number of refugees they sponsor, and all funds must be disbursed within seven days of the bill taking effect. This direct funding supports refugees and the nonprofits providing their resettlement services in Iowa.
This bill requires all Iowa public school districts, accredited private schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to cooperate with lawful requests from federal immigration and customs enforcement officers. It prohibits schools from adopting policies that discourage staff from assisting such officers or distributing communications indicating non-cooperation to students, parents, or employees. Violations could lead to loss of school accreditation (for public/private schools) or revocation of charter contracts (for charter schools), as determined by the state education department. The law specifically mandates that administrators must comply with these requirements and face disciplinary action if they violate them.
This bill imposes criminal penalties on Iowa law enforcement officers, including sheriffs, who knowingly fail to comply with state immigration enforcement requirements. A conviction for violating this law would constitute a class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and fines between $1,025 and $10,245. Additionally, a conviction would automatically result in the revocation of the officer's law enforcement certification by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. The bill directly affects sworn law enforcement personnel whose duties involve immigration enforcement under Chapter 27A of Iowa Code.
This concurrent resolution (HCR 7) urges the U.S. President and Congress to support efforts granting citizenship to internationally adopted children who were over 18 when the 2000 Child Citizenship Act took effect. It specifically targets adoptees born abroad who were excluded from automatic citizenship under that law, despite being raised in the U.S. by American citizens. The resolution calls for passage of the Adoptee Citizenship Act, which would provide citizenship to these individuals, removing barriers they face in accessing banking, voting, education, and other services. It does not create new law but expresses Iowa's support for federal action to resolve this citizenship gap.
This resolution (HR 14) calls on the President and Congress to support the Adoptee Citizenship Act, which would grant U.S. citizenship to children legally adopted from abroad who were 18 or older when the 2000 Child Citizenship Act took effect. It directly affects adoptees who were excluded from automatic citizenship under the 2000 law, despite being raised in the U.S. by American citizens. The resolution urges action to prevent deportation and address barriers these individuals face, such as difficulties obtaining passports, banking services, or education benefits. It does not create new law but advocates for congressional support of the pending Adoptee Citizenship Act.
HF 576 requires Iowa institutions of higher education (including state-regulated and accredited private colleges) to adopt policies prohibiting nonimmigrant visa holders (such as F-1, M-1, or J-1 students and staff) from publicly supporting terrorist activities or organizations, as defined by federal law. If an institution suspects a violation, it must investigate and may suspend students for at least one year or permanently expel them (or terminate staff employment) for a second offense. Institutions must then update federal student visa records to reflect the action and prohibit affected individuals from transferring to other Iowa institutions. The Attorney General enforces the law and can deny state tuition grants to institutions failing to comply.
SSB 1223 is an appropriations bill allocating $12.99 million for Iowa's Economic Development Authority (EDA) for fiscal year 2025-2026. It directs the EDA to focus on statewide economic growth through business development, workforce recruitment, tourism marketing, and support for women entrepreneurs and value-added agriculture projects. The bill requires businesses receiving funds to hire only U.S. citizens or legally authorized workers, with penalties for noncompliance, and prohibits funding for geothermal snow-melting systems. Additional funding includes $1 million for the World Food Prize and $1.1 million for tourism advertising. This bill primarily affects state agencies, businesses receiving EDA support, and Iowa residents through economic development initiatives.
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HF 946 establishes a process for addressing law enforcement officers, including elected sheriffs, who knowingly and intentionally fail to comply with state immigration enforcement laws. Under this bill, such officers can be investigated by the Attorney General. If a complaint is found valid and the officer continues to refuse compliance, their case may be referred to the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Council. The Council could then receive a recommendation to revoke the officer's certification.
HF 115 requires Iowa institutions of higher education to adopt policies prohibiting nonimmigrant visa holders (including F-1, M-1, and J-1 students and staff) from publicly supporting or advocating for terrorist activities or organizations defined under federal law. Institutions must investigate credible allegations of violations, impose a minimum one-year suspension for first offenses, and require permanent expulsion or termination for second offenses. The bill mandates institutions to update federal student exchange records when enforcing these penalties and prohibits individuals suspended or expelled under this law from transferring to other Iowa institutions. It takes effect December 31, 2025, with enforcement handled by the attorney general, who may withhold state tuition grants from non-compliant institutions.
