Iowa Anti-Sanctuary Law and ICE Cooperation

Iowa Code chapter 825, enacted by Senate File 481 in 2018, prohibits state and local entities from adopting sanctuary policies. Section 825.2 bars cities, counties, and law enforcement agencies from limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities, restricting communication about a person's citizenship or immigration status, or refusing to comply with valid ICE detainer requests. Section 825.5 authorizes the attorney general to enforce compliance, and noncompliant local entities risk losing state funding. The statute preempts conflicting local ordinances or policies that would otherwise create sanctuary jurisdictions.

Local entities adopting sanctuary policies risk loss of state funds and enforcement action by the Iowa attorney general under Iowa Code 825.5.