Eighth Circuit Upholds Block on Iowa State Immigration Law

A 2024 Iowa state law criminalizing the reentry of previously deported or excluded noncitizens was blocked by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, which upheld a preliminary injunction against its enforcement. The law, passed solely by Republicans and signed by Governor Kim Reynolds, would have authorized state judges to order deportations and impose penalties including prison time, but the federal court found it conflicted with federal immigration law and usurped federal enforcement discretion. The Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice and other plaintiffs challenged the law, arguing it endangered legal residents who had been previously denied entry. The court's decision was seen as a significant victory for immigrant communities, restoring a sense of safety and dignity to affected individuals. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird expressed disappointment but indicated ongoing efforts to uphold the law, noting changes in federal immigration policy under President Trump. The ruling emphasized that immigration enforcement is entrusted to the federal government, and states may not enact laws that obstruct federal immigration objectives.