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Iowa Senate Passes Sanctuary Bill

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The Iowa senate has passed a bill that would prohibit Iowa cities and counties from enacting "sanctuary" policies to provide safe havens for undocumented immigrants.

Most Democrats opposed the bill saying it would burden taxpayers and encourage racial profiling.  Local government would be barred from receiving state funds if they violate the law. Iowa law enforcement agencies would have to comply with federal immigration detainer requests. 

The bill’s floor manager, Republican Julian Garrett, of Indianola

said a recent poll that showed most respondents were in favor of the bill.

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“A Harris Poll said that said 80 percent of voters nationally say local authorities should have to comply with the law by reporting undocumented aliens.  So that’s who’s in favor of it.  The people are in favor of it.”

Independent Senator. David Johnson from Ocheyedan said he was ashamed of considering the bill during Holy Week, when religious people should be welcoming strangers.

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Independent State Senator David Johnson of Ocheyedan says the sanctuary bill is un-Christian.

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"This is absolutely disgusting, during Holy Week that we would be doing a bill like this.”

All Republicans present voted yes and they were joined by four Democrats. The measure now goes to the Iowa House, where it faces an uncertain future in the waning days of the 2017 Legislature's session.

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