By Marissa Payne, Des Moines Register
A group of Democratic state lawmakers wants to bar federal immigration agents from detaining Iowans in certain facilities as part of a new slate of legislative priorities centered on equity in a push to better represent Black and Brown Iowans.
Lawmakers shared the forthcoming proposal as they formally launched the Iowa Legislative Black and Brown Democratic Caucus on Monday, Jan. 26, signaling a “unified” effort to keep Black and Brown communities at the forefront of Iowa’s policymaking process.
Some reflected on incidents in neighboring Minnesota, where two U.S. citizens have been fatally shot by federal immigration agents.
Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen and registered nurse who treated veterans, was shot and killed by a Border Patrol agent after confronting immigration authorities on Jan. 24. Renee Nicole Good was killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent on Jan. 7.
“Iowans across every political party, every faith, every corner of our state are watching ICE operations in Minnesota with deep concern and heartbreak,” said Rep. Angel Ramirez, D-Cedar Rapids, who was elected last spring as the first Latina state lawmaker in Iowa. “Here in Iowa, we’ve seen our own neighbors unlawfully targeted violently torn from their jobs and their families and disappeared without a trace. This violates Iowans’ moral code treating all Iowans with kindness, dignity and respect.”
Cody Scanlan/The Register
The Black and Brown Caucus, joined by Reps. Aime Wichtendahl, D-Hiawatha, and Ken Croken, D-Davenport, plan to introduce a slate of bills they are calling the “Protect the American Dream Act” providing new protections for Iowans. The bills would:
- Prohibit federal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials from hiding their identity, saying that is aligned with standards for local law enforcement.
- Give all Iowans due process and constitutional protections.
- Ban ICE apprehension and detention of Iowans in courthouses, schools and churches.
Ramirez said ICE is a “paramilitary organization operating with impunity” and these measures were essential to protecting all Iowans.
And Ramirez said the “American dream to achieve safety, dignity, joy, opportunity and freedom” belongs to everyone.
“With these protections, we will ensure that all Iowans are treated with dignity and respect,” Ramirez said. “We urge our colleagues, regardless of their political party, to stand firm with us as we protect the American dream.”
GOP lawmakers have introduced several bills aimed at supporting immigration enforcement efforts, including a bill that requires local law enforcement cooperate with ICE agents. A subcommittee hearing has not yet been scheduled.
What are the Black and Brown Caucus’ priorities?
The Black and Brown Caucus will look to address disparities that affect minority communities in policies and put a spotlight on issues affecting Black and Brown Iowans, while building partnerships with community leaders and advocates statewide.
Cody Scanlan/The Register
State Rep. Ruth Ann Gaines, D-Des Moines, who chairs the caucus, said the caucus expanded to represent Brown Iowans as the state’s largest racial minority group. It initially formed in 2015 with four Black lawmakers and has expanded to 12 lawmakers.
“We stand as a Black and Brown Caucus committed to turning community pain into community power,” Gaines said. “Our neighborhoods face urgent issues. Preschool, childcare needs; barriers to health care, jobs, voting rights; and fair treatment under the law. And those realities must be heard, not hidden. Together, we amplify underrepresented forces, drive equity and unlock organizational gains for everyone.”
Rep. Megan Srinivas, D-Des Moines, said Iowa looks more like the diverse coalition of state lawmakers than the predominantly White chamber as a whole.
“Because of that, it’s important that we join together, that we move our voices together so that way every single Iowan knows their face is up here, knows that their voice is up here, knows that their thoughts are being fought for every single day,” Srinivas said.
Cody Scanlan/The Register
Rep. Rob Johnson, D-Des Moines, said the group was not merely a “symbolic caucus.”
“Governing is not abstract,” Johnson said. “At the push of a button in this very building, lives change. Families feel it, children feel it, communities feel it. For far too long, Black and Brown Iowans have felt the consequences of decisions made without them involved.”
Other caucus members who participated in the press conference included Reps. Mary Madison, D-West Des Moines; Ross Wilburn, D-Ames; and Jerome Amos, D-Waterloo, as well as Sens. Izaah Knox, D-Des Moines, and Sen. Renee Hardman, D-West Des Moines, who won a special election in December to become Iowa’s first Black female state senator.
GOP lawmakers of color have been invited to participate in the caucus. None were not present for Monday’s launch.
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