Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has publicly criticized Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx for his refusal to assist federal immigration enforcement, particularly the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. This rebuke comes after Marx announced via social media that his office would not cooperate with ICE in apprehending undocumented immigrants, citing concerns over the constitutional validity of federal detainers.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Sheriff Marx expressed his commitment to upholding constitutional parameters, indicating that his office would only assist ICE if they had proper judicial warrants or court orders. He emphasized that requests from ICE that lack judicial vetting, which he termed as unconstitutional “requests,” would be met with efforts to obstruct any enforcement actions.
Governor Reynolds responded firmly, reminding Marx that Iowa law mandates cooperation with federal immigration officials. According to state law, sheriffs are prohibited from adopting policies that discourage the enforcement of immigration laws and must assist federal officers when necessary. Reynolds warned Marx that his noncompliance could jeopardize funding for his department, stating that a sheriff could lose eligibility for state funds if they intentionally violate state law.
The governor specifically referenced Iowa Code Chapter 27, which outlines the responsibilities of law enforcement regarding cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Her remarks underscore the tension between local law enforcement practices and federal immigration policy, a recurring issue in many parts of the United States.
This incident highlights the broader national debate over immigration enforcement and the role of local law enforcement agencies. As states grapple with differing policies and approaches to immigration, the actions of officials like Sheriff Marx and the responses from state leaders like Governor Reynolds will continue to shape the landscape of immigration enforcement across the country.