Iowa GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds has rebuked Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx for refusing to assist federal immigration authorities, warning that his actions violate state law and could cost his county state funding, Breitbart reported.
Marx announced Tuesday that his department will not cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement or other federal agencies unless they provide judicially vetted warrants. He argued that ICE detainers — requests to hold individuals for potential deportation — are unconstitutional.
"If the fed's actions and paperwork are within constitutional parameters (such as proper and valid judicial warrants/court orders), we will assist if needed or requested," Marx wrote in a Facebook post.
"If their actions or paperwork are not within constitutional parameters (such as non-judicially vetted 'detainers'), then we will make every effort to block, interfere, and interrupt their actions from moving forward."
Reynolds swiftly condemned Marx's stance, citing Iowa law, which mandates local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
"Iowa law provides a sheriff shall not adopt or enforce a policy or take any other action under which the sheriff prohibits or discourages the enforcement of immigration laws," Reynolds wrote in a letter to Marx and the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors.
"Iowa law further requires that a sheriff shall not prohibit or discourage a law enforcement officer from assisting or cooperating with a federal immigration officer as reasonable or necessary, including providing enforcement assistance."
Reynolds also warned that Marx's defiance could risk his county's state funding.
"A sheriff and county can become ineligible to receive any state funds" if they intentionally violate state law, she added, indicating that the "letter shall be treated as a complaint I am filing with the attorney general."
The governor pointed to Iowa Code Chapter 27, which outlines the obligations of local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration agencies.
The law requires that officials honor detainer requests unless a federal judge rules otherwise.
Marx's position reflects growing tensions between some local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities, with debates centering on civil rights concerns and the limits of federal overreach.
Reynolds has been a staunch supporter of strict immigration enforcement, aligning with broader Republican efforts to curb illegal immigration. Her administration has backed measures that require law enforcement agencies to work with ICE, and she has supported legal challenges against sanctuary city policies in other states.
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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