This story has been updated.
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A group of Black Iowa lawmakers is expanding their legislative caucus to also include other racial minorities. The group has been renamed the Black and Brown Caucus, and they say their goal is to protect civil rights, build economic opportunities and expand access to health care and education.
They announced their expanded caucus at an event at the Iowa Capitol on Monday.
The group now has 10 members, including new Latina Rep. Angel Ramirez, D-Cedar Rapids. Latinos currently make up nearly 8% of Iowa’s population, according to 2024 Census estimates.
Rep. Ruth Ann Gaines, D-Des Moines, said the caucus unanimously agreed to form a larger, more diverse team to address inequality in the state.
“Our vision has expanded, and we want to specifically embrace brown Iowans,” Gaines said. “They have the experience of being seriously discriminated against, and they are the largest minority in the state.”
The Black and Brown Caucus introduced a series of bills Monday to ban U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from concealing their identities and from apprehending people in courthouses, schools and churches.
Ramirez said another bill would ensure that "all Iowans" receive due process and constitutional protections. The series of bills is called the "Protect the American Dream Act."
Ramirez told reporters after the event that the group has spoken to some Republican members of the Judiciary Committee about the proposals, but they currently aren't seeing any traction.
Ramirez said laws coming out of the Republican-led Legislature, including anti-DEI legislation, are driving young people away from the state.
"The reality is people do not feel safe here," she said. "Young people do not feel like there is opportunity here."
President Donald Trump is travelling to Iowa on Tuesday for a rally in Clive, but Ramirez thinks the visit will be unwelcome in the wake of the administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement tactics.
"I believe that Iowa does not want Trump in our state and more so over, we want Trump to take accountability for the actions that he has done that has led to the innocent lives being taken in Minnesota," Ramirez told reporters.
History of the Black Caucus
The Iowa Legislative Black Caucus was started in April 2014 with four members, according to Gaines, the caucus chair.
Current members include: Gaines, Ramirez, Rep. Rob Johnson, Rep. Mary Madison, newly elected Sen. Renee Hardman, Sen. Izaah Knox, Rep. Megan Srinivas, Rep. Ross Wilburn, Rep. Eddie Andrews and Rep. Jerome Amos.
Srinivas is Indian-American and has been part of the Black Legislative Caucus since she took office in 2023.
