The governor of Iowa approves a law that will criminalize certain unauthorized immigrants' presence in the state.

This week, the governor of Iowa signed a bill into law that permits law enforcement officials to detain certain unauthorized migrants, following Texas' lead.

On Wednesday, Republican governor of Iowa Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law that criminalizes remaining in the state after facing deportation, being turned away from the United States, or having an active deportation order.

The controversial Texas law that permits state officials to detain and arrest suspected illegal immigrants is comparable to the new law, which goes into effect on July 1. State judges may also order the deportation of immigrants under that statute, which is presently blocked while a federal appeals court reviews its constitutionality.

Reynolds remarked, "Those who enter our country illegally have broken the law, but President Joe Biden refuses to deport them." "This bill gives Iowa law enforcement the authority to enforce existing immigration rules, something that he is unwilling to do.

White House spokesperson Angelo Fernández Hernández stated, "Congressional Republicans chose to put partisan politics ahead of our national security and rejected what border agents have said they need." "Republican officials should back the bipartisan border security agreement that is on the table if they genuinely care about securing our border and fixing the broken immigration system."

This election season, immigration remains a contentious topic for voters as Republicans use large numbers of illegal border crossings as a weapon against Democrats, especially Biden, and as a point of contention between the two parties over border security measures.

The measure has been opposed by local immigrant rights organizations in Iowa, such as Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, who released the following statement online: "We know that we all belong here, Iowa is home, and we will stand together as workers, families, and allies to defend each other."

"The definition of 'Iowa Nice' is welcoming immigrants and refugees," the group stated. "Governor Reynolds is failing Iowans, both newcomers and native-born."

According to the measure, an individual detained under Iowa law would be given the choice to either accept a deportation order from a state judge or risk prosecution. The judge's order would have to specify the statute and how the individual would be transported to a port of entry into the United States.

In reaction to Iowa's law, the Mexican government declared that it would not sit idly by and that it would look into resources and legal counsel to support the defense of Mexican Americans' rights in Iowa.