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Organizations working for fair treatment of immigrants and refugees in Iowa are pushing back on state legislation they argued would discriminate against migrant communities. (Adobe Stock)

Groups push back on Iowa lawmakers' 'anti-immigrant' measures

Immigrants' rights advocates are pushing back on a flurry of bills in the Iowa Legislature they said would create discriminatory policies targeting mi…

Practical Farmers of Iowa now has a full-time Spanish Engagement Outreach Coordinator to assist the growing number of Latino farmers in the state. (Adobe Stock)

High demand prompts IA farm group to increase Spanish-speaking services

A rural advocacy group has invested in reaching out to Spanish-speaking farmers in Iowa - a population that has grown dramatically. There has been …

U.S. border patrol agents have seen a 50% drop in the number of migrants crossing the border since Title 42 expired in mid May, according to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. (Mark Moran)

Title 42 Fallout in the Heartland

A public health measure known as Title 42 was a response to the COVID-19 pandemic that allowed for immigrants to be immediately expelled if they cross…

Immigration policy experts say the recent wave of migrant crossings at the U.S./Mexico border might by partly the result of seasonal trends, not solely Biden administration policies. (Adobe Stock)

IA Latinos to Governor: Don't Play Politics with Immigration

DES MOINES, Iowa - Debate continues over the severity of the migrant situation at the U.S./Mexico border, and advocates for Iowa Latinos say Gov…

A total of five public school districts in Iowa, including Davenport, Des Moines and Waterloo, have adopted diversity plans to shield against too many students leaving for other districts. (Adobe Stock)

IA Bill Decried as Attack on School Diversity Plans

DES MOINES, Iowa - Several Iowa school districts have plans in place to help keep their student populations diverse. Supporters of those plans say a …

Iowa is one of the handful of states that has yet to issue some form of statewide mask mandate to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa's COVID Approach Creates Concern in Immigrant Communities

STORM LAKE, Iowa -- Iowa is considered one of the high-risk states in the latest phase of the pandemic, and prevention efforts by state leaders are …

Despite the Trump administration's push to end DACA, polls suggest most Americans support the program. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa DACA Recipient: Fight Continues

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Children of parents who came to the United States illegally are relieved about the Supreme Court's decision Thursday that allows …

In addition to close distances on the assembly lines, meat plant workers often have to clean up in crowded locker rooms. (Adobe Stock)

COVID-19 Outbreaks at Meat Plants Underscore Worker Safety Concerns

DES MOINES, Iowa - The temporary closing of meat-processing plants has raised concerns over food supplies during the pandemic. But in states like …

Research shows that children who have health insurance coverage see long-term benefits, including being more likely to complete high school and graduate from college. (palichka/Pixabay)

Rate of Iowa Kids Lacking Health Insurance Inches Up

DES MOINES, Iowa – The number of Iowa children without health care insurance is slowing inching up – a red flag, according to children's …

The largest single-year increase of anti-Semitic incidents was recorded in 2017, according to the Anti-Defamation League. (jta.org)

Iowa Faith Leaders Rebuke Rep. King After Synagogue Massacre

AMES, Iowa – In the wake of the shooting deaths of 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue, faith leaders are speaking out about Iowa Republican …

Immigrants, most of them from Mexico, make up 5 percent of Iowa's population. (portside.org)

Advocates Hold Teach-ins on Resisting Iowa's New Immigration Law

DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa's Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI) will host three meetings this week to inform residents how to counter the …

Eighteen state groups including the Iowa Police Chiefs Association have registered their opposition to the so-called sanctuary cities bill. (aclu-ia-org)

Opponents of Iowa Immigration Legislation to Rally at Iowa Capitol

DES MOINES, Iowa — A rally is planned at the Iowa state Capitol tomorrow to urge lawmakers to reject legislation that would strip so-called …

African-American children face some of the greatest barriers to success, especially in the South and Midwest, according to the annual

Report: Barriers to Success Still Pervasive for Minority Children in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa – The civil-rights era ended fifty years ago but an annual report indicates that significant barriers still exist for children …

The roots of Hispanic Heritage Month date back to 1968. (Quinn Kampschroer/Pixabay)

Hispanic Heritage Month Draws Attention to Health Disparities, Risks

DES MOINES, Iowa – In Iowa and across the nation, Hispanic Heritage Month is being celebrated with events commemorating the contributions of U.…

Enforcing the law, or painting Iowa as a racist state? There are two distinct views of House File 265 in the Iowa Legislature. (Iowa CCI Acton Fund)

Does Iowa Bill "Grease the Wheels" for Anti-Immigrant Agenda?

DES MOINES, Iowa – Opponents of a bill under consideration at the Iowa Statehouse say it would "grease the wheels" for President Donald Trump's …

The antics, accusations and scandals of the presidential campaigns are creating heated conversations in some classrooms. (Lead Beyond/Flickr)

Presidential Election Creates a "Gray Area" for Iowa Teachers

DES MOINES, Iowa – In what used to be a perfect time for a lesson in how government works, the tone of the presidential campaign is creating …

Almost two-thirds of families with a parent in prison, such as the Anamosa State Penitentiary, can't pay for necessities for their kids. (Klepper66/Wikimedia Commons)

Report: Kids Need Support when Parents are Behind Bars

DES MOINES, Iowa - Eight percent of kids in Iowa, that's 58,000, have a parent behind bars, a number that has risen significantly in the last few …

Some activists say media sources often promote stereotypes between extremism and Islam. (Pixabay)

The "Elite Eight" of Extremism in the News

DES MOINES, Iowa - While some Iowans focus on March Madness with the Cyclones playing tonight, a social justice group is drawing attention to an …

A new poll shows a majority of Iowans favor issuing driver's licenses to individuals, regardless of their immigration status. (Iowa Department of Transportation)

Poll: Iowans Favor Immigrant Driver's Licenses

DES MOINES, Iowa - A number of groups, and some Iowa law enforcement officials back legislation authorizing the Iowa Department of Transportation to …

Jeremy Rosen, who heads the ACLU of Iowa, disagrees with Gov. Terry Branstad's decision to bar Syrian refugees from coming to the state. Courtesy: ACLU of Iowa

Branstad's Policy Change on Syrian Refugees Sparks Controversy

DES MOINES, Iowa - This week, Iowa has become the 17th state to halt integration of Syrian refugees, following an order by Gov. Terry Branstad…

A gathering tonight in Des Moines brings together activists from across the nation who want to see an end to the immigration-detention quota. Credit: TheaDesign

Immigration, Detention, Iowa Caucuses

DES MOINES, Iowa - As the presidential hopefuls continue to focus on Iowa with the all-important caucuses now slightly more than four months away…

PHOTO: New research finds most temporary workers from Mexico who get work visas are no better off than those who are undocumented. Photo credit: Bread for the World/Flickr.

Research: Few Benefits for Workers with Temporary Visas

DES MOINES, Iowa - Immigrants from Mexico can fill the gap where there's a need for agricultural or low-skilled work in Iowa and across the country…

PHOTO: As the flood of children attempting to cross into the United States from Central America continues, an Iowa woman offers her story in the hopes of increasing understanding about the situation. Photo courtesy of Toksave / Wikimedia Commons.

Iowan Shines Light on Flood of Central American Children

DES MOINES, Iowa - The mass migration of Central American children has made headlines, sparked debate, and ignited a political firestorm in recent …

PHOTO: A new scorecard on the progress of children in Iowa shows the need to create more opportunity for kids of color. Photo credit: Victoria Harjadi.

Giving All Iowa Children Equal Opportunity to Thrive

DES MOINES, Iowa - The face of Iowa is changing, and as the state becomes more diverse, a new report shows, more efforts are needed to make sure all …

PHOTO: U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan visited Des Moines Area Community College in 2012 for a town hall on increasing graduation rates. Photo credit: U.S. Dept. of Education

More Educated Than Ever – but Not Enough for Future Workforce

DES MOINES, Iowa - Americans have, on average, more years of higher education than ever, but with significant gaps among races. Efforts in Iowa aim …

PHOTO: A lawsuit filed against the Environmental Protection Agency seeks to force the EPA to reevaluate the potential harms of pesticide drift exposure and then take action accordingly. CREDIT: Magarell

Suit Claims EPA Failing to Protect Kids from Pesticide Drift

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been taken to court over claims that it is failing when it comes to protecting …

Local Leaders Sign "Iowa Compact" for Immigration Reform

PERRY, Iowa - Taking a cue from Indiana and Utah, a group of Iowans has launched an Iowa Compact, a statement of views and principles they hope will …

Arizona Immigration Law Highlights Different Approach Being Taken in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa - Arizona's controversial new immigration law is set to go into effect on Thursday. The law, known as SB 1070, has spawned copycat …

ID Cards for Illegal Immigrants: A Good Thing?

President Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon on Wednesday criticized Arizona's law that makes failure to carry immigration documents a crime…

Community Health Centers - Iowa’s Best Kept Secret?

DES MOINES, Iowa - The second week in August is "National Health Center Week," recognizing the contributions of community health centers. Iowa has 13 …

I Want My DTV: Groups Working to Keep All Connected

Des Moines, IA – The big switch happens Friday, when analog television screens will go blank and a converter box will be needed to pick up …

Detectar casos de tráfico humano en Iowa

Des Moines, IA - A pesar de que Iowa aprobó una severa ley contra el tráfico de personas hace tres años, sólo se han consignado …

Expansion of Hawk-I Program Expected to Take Place on Schedule

Des Moines, IA – Now that the U.S. Senate has approved the re-authorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP), it …

Are Latinos Iowa's Untapped Undecided Voters?

Des Moines, IA – Iowa is considered a battleground state because it contains so many undecided voters. But who are they - and are the …

Postville Raid Puts Immigration Reform Back Before Voters

Des Moines IA – Aftereffects continue to be felt from this week's immigration raid at the Agriprocessors packing plant in Postville, the …

Iowa Immigrants: Boon or Burden?

Des Moines IA – Marshalltown is well-known in Iowa for its high immigrant population, and the city has been a center of attention due to recent …

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IA: Immigration