Friend –

Maybe the only thing we can all agree on about immigration law in this country is that it needs drastic improvement.

Nationally, President-Elect Trump is threatening mass deportation. Here in Iowa, we've filed a lawsuit and have been able to temporarily stop SF 2340, the worst and most bizarre anti-immigrant law our state has ever passed. As written, it would result in the deportation or incarceration even of immigrants who are full, naturalized U.S. citizens.

All this ignores the many contributions immigrants of all immigration statuses make to our state, including undocumented immigrants:

• There are 52,300 undocumented immigrants in Iowa, who make up nearly 2% of the workforce, as of 2022. These workers fill many essential jobs that otherwise go unfilled, especially in manufacturing, construction, and agriculture.
• Undocumented workers pay $151.6 million in state and local taxes and $203 million in federal taxes, with spending power of $1.3 billion that helps local businesses (according to The American Immigration Council).
• Contrary to the rhetoric, violent crime is down, and undocumented Iowans commit crimes at a rate that is lower than that of documented immigrants. And both undocumented and documented people commit crimes at a rate lower than Iowans born in this country (according to The American Immigration Council).

We all want a just and equitable Iowa in which everyone can live and thrive. And no matter what the upcoming months bring, we won't stop working for it.

With gratitude for your support,

Mark Stringer
Executive Director, ACLU of Iowa