Iowa Gov. Reynolds signs bill permitting state removal of illegals under limited conditions

Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday signed legislation criminalizing the presence in the state of any alien previously refused entry into the U.S. or removed from its borders.

"The Biden Administration has failed to enforce our nation’s immigration laws, putting the protection and safety of Iowans at risk," Reynolds said, according to the Associated Press. "This bill gives Iowa law enforcement the power to do what he is unwilling to do: enforce immigration laws already on the books."

The law is slated to take effect on July 1. Under the law, state officials may bring charges against certain aliens, who in turn may avoid prosecution by agreeing to a judge's order to leave the U.S.

Reynolds' move follows comparable legislation in Texas, which has been subject to judicial scrutiny and is currently the subject of a stay, pending litigation. GOP Gov. Greg Abbott embraced the measure amid an ongoing surge in illegal border crossings and perceived federal apathy toward the issue.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.