DES MOINES, IOWA (February 23, 2024) — Iowa LULAC, the state chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens, calls for a new era of collaboration between the Latino community and local businesses to bolster the state's economic future.
"Iowa LULAC favors bipartisan support for reasonable immigration laws that ensure the economic vibrancy of our state," says Joe Henry, national special advisor to the LULAC president. "It is vital that legislators consider the consequences of their actions and how these proposed laws will impact the ability of Iowa businesses to be competitive and prosper. They are the job creators, and our goal is to be partners in positive solutions, not engage in divisive policies that further political agendas," adds Henry.
Labor shortages in Iowa have escalated, with the state's unemployment rate plummeting to just 2.8% as of December 2023, per Iowa Workforce Development. This tight labor market has posed challenges across sectors, notably agriculture, where the Iowa Farm Bureau projects a deficit of over 10,000 workers during peak seasons. Similarly, the manufacturing industry faces hurdles, with nearly 60% of manufacturers in the state struggling to hire skilled workers, as the Iowa Association of Business and Industry reported. These shortages hamper economic productivity and growth in Iowa, underscoring the urgency for targeted workforce development strategies.
Senate File 108 will require Iowa businesses to use the E-Verify system to ensure prospective employees are in the country legally. For countless users, E-Verify can be burdensome and inefficient, often resulting in prolonged processing times and potentially excluding individuals with valid work authorization documents. For instance, if someone became a citizen in 2019 and the system hasn't been promptly updated, they may still receive a temporary non-confirmation despite being a citizen now. This legislation appears to be an ineffective solution in search of a problem, especially when the real issue is Iowa's shortage of workers.
House File 2320 proposes that individuals must be citizens or legally present in the US to qualify for in-state tuition at Iowa universities. Consequently, undocumented immigrants who have grown up in Iowa and graduated from an Iowa high school would no longer be eligible for in-state tuition at community colleges or the three state universities, unlike their peers with whom they attended school from K-12.
House File 2112 proposes to prohibit undocumented immigrants from receiving public assistance and criminalize the transportation or harboring of undocumented immigrants. This legislation introduces the risk of felony smuggling charges for good Samaritan neighbors who assist undocumented individuals by driving them to necessary doctor's appointments or school. Although the bill includes loose provisions for criminal intent, such as fleeing from police or hiding from authorities, it poses a dilemma for individuals like soccer coaches and bus drivers who may inadvertently violate the law by transporting children to activities without verifying their immigration status.
Senate File 2211 grants Iowa law enforcement and courts the authority to conduct immigration enforcement, including deporting undocumented immigrants, in violation of federal law. Similarly to Texas's SB4 law, this Iowa law usurps control over immigration from the federal government. It deprives individuals subject to the immigration system of their federally-mandated rights and due process, such as the right to contest removal and seek asylum.
"In the context of these labor shortages, it is essential to acknowledge that these bills wrongfully targeting immigrants destabilize Iowa's workforce, neglect investment in talented youth, erect additional barriers for low-income families, and jeopardize support systems for individuals seeking refuge in Iowa," says Henry. "We want to be at the table in these important discussions and decisions and welcome everyone else willing to do so in mutual respect for advancing the greater good. This is not the time to hinder Iowa's economic well-being nor further partisan politics at the expense of our communities," he adds.
About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation's largest and oldest Hispanic civil-rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington DC, with 525 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC's programs, services, and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting the critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit LULAC.
