Iowa
Iowa Senate votes to require businesses use E-Verify to avoid hiring undocumented workers
Iowa businesses would be required to use the federal E-Verify system to determine whether their employees are legally in the country under a bill that passed the Iowa Senate Wednesday.
The Senate voted 30-17 Wednesday afternoon to pass Senate File 108, sending it to the Iowa House for consideration. All but one of the Republicans present voted in favor of the bill. Sen. Dan Zumbach, R-Ryan, voted with every Democrat to oppose it.
The Senate has passed a version of the bill in past years, but it has never been taken up by the Iowa House.
This year, the Senate’s vote comes as immigration is shaping up to be a major issue in the 2024 presidential race and in Congress.
The U.S. Senate earlier this month failed to pass a bill that would have created a new mechanism to shut down the border if illegal crossings reached a certain threshold. And Congressional Republicans have indicated new border measures are a top priority for them.
Iowa lawmakers are considering several bills this year that proponents say would help deter illegal immigration but critics have described as anti-immigrant.
More: Migrant workers ask Iowa lawmakers to reject slate of immigration bills
Sen. Julian Garrett, R-Indianola, said the border is “probably the number one issue” he hears about.
“There’s not a lot we can do here in Iowa at the state level, but this is something we can do,” he said. “And I think it will make a difference.”
Sen. Janice Weiner, D-Iowa City, said if Iowa lawmakers are concerned about the border they should contact their federal representatives and senators.
“Ask them to pass the bipartisan law on immigration reform and the border that was agreed to in Washington,” she said. “That’s the solution. It’s a federal issue.”
What would the Iowa E-Verify bill do?
It is already illegal under federal law to knowingly hire someone who is in the country illegally.
The Iowa bill would allow a county attorney, local law enforcement official or member of the public to file a complaint with Iowa Workforce Development if they suspect a company has violated the law.
If a company is found to have violated the law by hiring an undocumented immigrant, the company would be required to terminate the employee and would be placed on a three-year probationary period during which it would be required to file quarterly reports with the state listing every new employee hired during that period.
A second offense would cause the company’s business license to be permanently revoked.
More: Iowa doesn’t require US citizenship for in-state tuition. A Republican bill would end that.
The Iowa Secretary of State’s office would be required to maintain a database of companies found to violate the law.
Employers could defend themselves in court by arguing that they did not knowingly employ an undocumented immigrant in violation of the law.
Garrett said passing the bill would help level the playing field for businesses that already diligently check to ensure their employees are in the country legally.
“It’s very unfair to law-abiding legitimate businesses and employees to have to compete with people that are coming across the border, and you know they’re pouring across right now,” he said. “The Biden administration doesn’t seem inclined to do a thing about it.”
Business groups oppose the Iowa bill
Many of Iowa’s largest business groups are opposed to the law, including the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, Iowa Chamber Alliance, National Federation of Independent Businesses, Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, Master Builders of Iowa, Iowa Grocery Industry Association, Heavy Highway Contractors Association, and Agribusiness Association of Iowa.
Sen. Tony Bisignano, D-Des Moines, read off a list of business groups who oppose the bill during debate.
“Everybody opposes this,” he said. “And it’s not because they want to circumvent the law and use undocumented workers. It’s because in their professional operation, it doesn’t work.”
Bisignano said the program would also harm potential employees who are wrongly flagged.
“What about the employee?” he said. “What about the applicant who they got his middle initial wrong or a letter in his name or a number on the Social Security and it’s red flagged? And how long are they unable to be employed?”
Garrett said thousands of Iowa businesses already use the E-Verify program voluntarily. Several other states require businesses to use the program.
“Right now more than 5,000 businesses in Iowa use E-Verify,” he said. “They don’t have to. It’s not required. Why would they do that if this is such a horrible program?”
Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.
How much rain does Des Moines get? See the 5 wettest days on record
Wondering how the rainfall total compares? Here are the five wettest days on record for Des Moines, Iowa.
Drought conditions in Iowa improved for a second consecutive week, though areas of moderate drought expanded in parts of the state.
The U.S. Drought Monitor offers a state-by-state tracking of drought conditions nationwide. New maps and forecasts are released each Thursday. What are the current drought conditions in Iowa?
U.S. Drought Monitor map: How much of Iowa is in a drought?
The latest Drought Monitor report, released on Thursday, June 18, showed about 46% of Iowa experiencing some form of drought. This continues the streak of conditions improving week to week in Iowa. The previous report, released on June 11, showed that 63% of the state was experiencing some form of drought.
The most recent report reflects conditions as of 8 a.m. June 16, right as storms were sweeping through Iowa, with parts of eastern Iowa seeing more than 2 inches of rainfall. Light rainfall on June 17 led to areas like Iowa City and Burlington reporting around an inch of rain.
Here is the breakdown of current drought conditions in Iowa:
- 61% of the state of Iowa is experiencing no drought conditions
- 39% of Iowa is experiencing abnormally dry conditions
- 7% of Iowa is experiencing moderate drought conditions
- 0% of Iowa is experiencing severe drought conditions
Even though drought conditions have improved overall in Iowa, the area experiencing moderate drought increased from the week of June 11, particularly in northern Iowa. Much of Cerro Gordo, Hancock and Kossuth counties are under D1 conditions, with nearby Palo Alto, Winnebago, Floyd and Mitchell also in moderate drought.
Pockets of moderate drought also persist along the northwest edge of Iowa in Lyon, Sioux and Plymouth counties. In eastern Iowa, Jackson, Clinton and Scott counties saw their moderate drought status ease week to week.
Most of the U.S. is facing drought conditions
About 73% of the U.S. is experiencing some level of drought, a 2-percentage-point improvement from the prior week. Some of the most intense drought conditions are in the southeast and the mountain west.
Iowa Drought Monitor tracks conditions weekly
The U.S. Drought Monitor offers a state-by-state tracking of drought conditions nationwide. New maps and forecasts are released each Thursday.
The intensity levels range from abnormally dry, or D0, to exceptional drought, or D4.
Typically with D0 conditions, corn can show drought stress. Pond levels start to decline under moderate drought conditions and soybeans abort pods, according to the Drought Monitor. The Drought Monitor also has a look-back chart that compares drought conditions from 3 months ago up to 1 year ago.
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
Confirmed tornadoes were reported in Illinois and Iowa Wednesday night as severe weather descended on a large swath of the Midwest.
According to the National Weather Service, a confirmed tornado was reported near the small northeast Iowa community of Harpers Ferry at 5:10 p.m., while a second confirmed tornado rolled through Charleston in central Illinois at about 6:40 p.m. local time.
Both tornadoes were flagged by the weather service as a “particularly dangerous situation,” a rare designation used by the weather service for environments in which “strong and violent tornadoes” are possible.
Photos and videos obtained by CBS News showed extensive damage in Charleston, with downed trees and power lines. Hail that measured 2.75 inches was also reported in the Charleston area, according to the weather service.
“There are a large number of trees blocking roadways throughout Charleston at this time,” Charleston police said in a Facebook post. “Unless it is an absolute emergency, do not drive or attempt to go anywhere.”
The city of Charleston later declared a local state of emergency.
One cell phone video captured the terrifying moments what appeared to be a large tornado tore through Effingham, Illinois, located about 40 miles southwest of Charleston.
Larry Thies, coordinator for the Effingham Emergency Management Agency, told CBS News that initial information indicated damaged buildings, trailers, and downed power lines and trees. He said officials were working to set up an emergency operations center, but were facing challenges because internet was down in the area.
The extent of the damage to region was still unclear. There was no immediate word of injuries or fatalities. CBS News senior meteorologist Rob Marciano said there were at least seven reported tornadoes during the weather event.
According to utility tracker PowerOutage.us, at least 55,000 customers were without power in Illinois.
Earlier Wednesday, Marciano reported that more than 125 million Americans were facing severe weather advisories, including the Gulf Coast states, which were under flood alerts due to Tropical Storm Arthur. Speaking on “CBS Evening News,” Marciano said such ripe tornado conditions were rare for June.
“This is unique for June, this is unusual to have such a strong jet stream just screaming across the country, then you’ve got the summertime tropical moisture coming in…and then some cold air coming in,” Marciano said. “And winds coming at different direction, at different levels, creating that spin. So what that equates to is really the high probability of seeing, not just tornadoes, but intense tornadoes of EF2 strength or higher on the ground for a long time. And also damaging winds at 75 mph or higher, and of course big time hail.”
When is Juneteenth and how is the holiday celebrated
Juneteenth is coming up. Here is what the holiday is about and how it’s celebrated.
It is a busy weekend in Iowa City as summer officially begins on Sunday. From Iowa City Pride and Juneteenth celebrations, there is no shortage of activity happening around town.
Here are four events to check out.
Enter the whimsical world of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at Lower City Park
Thursday to Sunday: Riverside Theatre’s summer tradition, Shakespeare in the Park, has returned to Lower City Park. Catch a free performance of William Shakespeare’s iconic comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” that follows the chaotic events of four entangled lovers and a troupe of actors wandering into a mystical forest. All of the free shows through the weekend start at 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate Juneteenth with live entertainment and community
Friday: The Black Voices Project and Dream City are teaming up to host the community-wide Juneteenth Celebration. At 1 p.m. Friday, June 19, at the South District Market Parking lot, enjoy live music from Kevin Burt, along with community presentations, activities for all ages, and a fashion showcase.
Show your pride at Iowa City Pride events
Saturday: Iowa City Pride is back for the 56th year. Principal events, the Pride Parade and Pride Festival, will start at noon on Saturday, June 20. The festival will be on the Ped Mall, and the parade will begin at College Green Park, working its way downtown along Iowa Avenue and East Washington Street. The festival runs from 12 to 9 p.m.
Catch a romantic comedy under the stars at FilmScene in the Park
Saturday: FilmScene in the Park returns at 9:15 p.m., Saturday, June 20, with a screening of the cult classic “13 Going on 30″ at Chauncey Swan Park. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Concessions, including beer and wine, will be available 30 minutes before the film begins.
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @rishjessica_
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