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

Iowa lawmakers are considering bills that critics claim could potentially destabilize the state's workforce, create additional barriers for low-income families and threaten support networks for people seeking safety.

Erica Johnson, executive director of the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, said anti-immigrant rhetoric typically heats up in Iowa during election years and legislation soon follows.

"We're taking a cue from what happened in Florida and in Texas, and in Kansas," Johnson pointed out. "We've been meeting to discuss ways to push back against this anti-immigrant narrative and try to take steps to move our state back toward the idea of 'Iowa Nice.'"

One bill, House File 2128, would change current state law so noncitizens would no longer be eligible to receive in-state tuition at community colleges and universities. Supporters of the measure argued the current law creates an undue burden on Iowa taxpayers.

Johnson noted advocates are organizing opponents of the measure and bills like it to attend legislative committee meetings, voice opposition and spread a message of inclusion. She added Iowa, as one of just a few states in the country losing population, needs migrants.

"The only possibility our state has for a prosperous future is dependent on immigrants and refugees continuing to move to our state, and populate rural communities and public schools," Johnson contended. "All of these things that are integral to the health of our communities as Iowans."

Johnson added 100 people attended a recent rally at the Capitol in Des Moines protesting the bills.


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President Donald Trump continues his pressure campaign on immigrants -- both documented and undocumented -- disrupting the lives of many in Virginia.

As the administration revokes thousands of visas of legal immigrants, the Social Security Administration has reportedly moved thousands of names to what's known as its "death master file." The move essentially stops a person's ability to work, open a bank account or apply for a credit card.

Monica Sarmiento, executive director of the Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights, said the actions hinder people's ability to contribute to society, including the more than 17% of immigrants in Virginia's workforce.

"Most immigrants are here because they want a better life for themselves and their families, and want to contribute willingly and pay taxes," Sarmiento contended. "For that, they need a Social Security number."

This month, the Internal Revenue Service said it would share information on undocumented taxpayers with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Administration officials have defended the policies, saying they will encourage affected migrants to "self-deport" to their home countries.

But advocates like Sarmiento countered immigrants of all status levels pay taxes, often in an effort to contribute to the country.

"Immigrants pay taxes," Sarmiento stressed. "They don't just want to pay taxes, they actively pay taxes. And lots of immigrants, undocumented immigrants -- it has been very well recorded -- pay billions of dollars in taxes every year, as well as noncitizen residents of the United States."

According to the American Immigration Council, undocumented immigrants alone in 2023 contributed nearly $90 billion in taxes to their federal, state and local governments.


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Tax filing season has wrapped up but the backlash over a new IRS policy concerning undocumented individuals is not going away.

A retired agency official from Illinois said her heart breaks for the people she served over the years. A deal has been struck between the IRS and the Department of Homeland Security to share the sensitive taxpayer information of those facing deportation. Officials said locating "violent criminals" is part of the goal.

Yolanda Ruiz worked for the IRS for 33 years doing outreach work in Latino communities, including tax-filing workshops. She would stress submitting a return would not overlap with immigration enforcement.

"In that outreach, I would always reassure undocumented immigrants that we would not share their personal information with ICE," Ruiz recounted. "And I also encouraged filing and paying their taxes, because it could ultimately help them with legalization and citizenship."

She explained their application approval odds might improve if they showed consistency in paying taxes. Researchers noted people without legal status pay income taxes through a specialized number. In 2023, those households paid nearly $90 billion in taxes. But Ruiz, who is not speaking for the agency, worries the new agreement will undo the trust those like her worked so hard to build.

Ruiz agreed with immigrants' advocates who said some people are now afraid to file tax returns, which could mean less revenue for the federal government, potentially limiting community resources. She added she was devastated upon hearing the news about a policy opposite of the long-standing approach in serving immigrants.

"I really can't help but to feel like I let them down," Ruiz explained. "My heart hurts and I pray for the immigrants."

The fallout is being felt within the agency, too, with the acting IRS commissioner reportedly resigning this month because of the agreement with Homeland Security.


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The Nevada Immigrant Coalition and community organizers are sounding the alarm about expected Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Southern Nevada later this week.

Laura Martin, executive director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, has been speaking with members of the legal community and said they want people in Southern Nevada to be ready, and know what to do.

"We've also heard from some attorneys that there are possibly 100 ICE agents who have moved into the area to complete an enforcement operation through the Easter weekend," Martin reported.

Martin encouraged all immigrants to know their rights if they are approached by ICE. She added regardless of someone's immigration status, all Nevadans have rights.

The ACLU of Nevada has created a guide to ensure people know their rights and know how to take action if their rights are violated.

President Donald Trump is encouraging those who are here illegally to self-deport instead of being deported "the hard way."

Martha Menendez, legal manager for Justice In Motion, encouraged those who think they could be in jeopardy of being deported to prepare a family plan, like having all necessary documentation in one place and thinking about other special arrangements. She added she wants people to be prepared, not scared.

Menendez stressed if ICE does knock on your door, do not open it. First ask for the reason of the visit and request to see what is called a judicial warrant.

"Make sure when you are asking them for documents, they slide it under the door, that they put it up against the window, that you see that it is signed by a judge and that it said they have the right to come in and arrest you," Menendez outlined. "Otherwise, they do not."

Menendez explains if an administrative order is presented, officers do not have the legal authorization to enter forcibly. She reminded everyone they have the right to remain silent and are not obligated to answer questions about their immigration status without a lawyer being present.