Johnson County will not assist in federal immigration raids or honor voluntary detainer requests. That is according to a statement made Monday by the county’s Board of Supervisors and Sheriff’s Office.
The statement replaces a similar resolution that was coming up for a vote Tuesday. It maintains that county resources will not be used for enforcing federal immigration laws.
Johnson County Supervisor Lisa Green-Douglass said the sheriff’s office did not agree with the text of the original resolution. She added the joint statement was a faster way of calming the fears of local immigrants.
“There are a lot of children who are fearful. There are parents who are lining up guardians. There are children who are citizens who are being told that they’re going to have to leave," Green-Douglass said. "And people are worried and scared, and we want people to feel safe and welcome here.”
A bill in the Iowa Legislature would outlaw local policies that protect undocumented immigrants.
