In the first month of Donald Trump’s second term, his administration has begun tackling one of his major campaign goals head on: immigration.
After signing several executive orders dealing with immigration within the first 24 hours of his presidency, including an order to end birthright citizenship which is protected by the 14th Amendment, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement acting director Caleb Vitello told ICE agents to aim for at least 1,200 arrests a day. This would mean that to comply with the Trump administration, each of the 25 ICE field offices across the U.S. are to make nearly 50 arrests a day.
As of Feb. 3, ICE agents who claim to be focusing on arresting dangerous undocumented criminals have made 8,768 arrests However, statistics from TRAC Reports on immigration show that nearly 60% of ICE detainees have no criminal record, and many more only have minor offences, like traffic violations, on their record.
In Iowa, according to the Migration Policy Institute, there are nearly 105,000 undocumented immigrants.
In an interview with Iowa Public Radio, a mentor for Atlas in Sioux Center, Lily Van Beek said, “From my clients to my friends in town, they are just afraid if they go to the post office they will not come back because they get pulled over. The kids are so afraid to go back home and to an empty house if parents do not come back — because they got taken.”
Typically, those who are arrested and detained by ICE have the right to a hearing before an immigration judge. However, part of Trump’s recent executive order, “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” expands the use of “expedient removal,” or removal without trial for some immigrants, mostly those who have been in the U.S. for less than two years.
In Sioux County nearly 9 out of 10 voters cast their vote for Trump in 2024, and most support his immigration policy. However, an article from the Des Moines Register says that mass deportations will tank Iowa’s economy, which relies heavily on meat production and packing, where immigrants are a major source of labor.
“Any loss of workforce could be felt nationwide, leaving U.S. consumers facing pandemic-like price hikes at grocery stores,” the Des Moines Register said.
A memo from the Department of Justice office now “requires states and local actors to comply with the Executive Branch’s immigration enforcement initiatives.”
Though it is not clear if the Department of Justice can require local law enforcement to carry out ICE directives, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has told enforcement officials to support any new efforts to deport those without legal status and has spoken out against a Winneshiek County Sheriff who said his office would “make every effort to block, interfere and interrupt” unconstitutional activities and requests from ICE.
In addition to Winneshiek County, Sioux City police have made it clear that they do not inquire about immigration status. “To do so might convince crime victims and witnesses to remain silent or not cooperate with law enforcement officers out of fear,” the police department stated. “We would like to reinforce that any resident who is a victim or witness of a crime should not be afraid to contact our department.”
Currently, the Sioux City, Des Moines, West Des Moines, Storm Lake and Winneshiek County police departments have told the Midwest Newsroom they do not plan to help ICE, while the Polk County and Black Hawk County say they do. However, it is unclear where Sioux County Sherif’s Department stands on the issue.
For resources for those without immigration status or for more information about immigration issues visit iowammj.org
