Des Moines, Iowa – Human smuggling of undocumented immigrants — to conceal them from law enforcement — would become a crime in Iowa if a bill that’s passed the Iowa House becomes law. Republican Representative Steven Holt of Denison says the human smuggling that’s happening is horrific and inexcusable.
The crime of human smuggling would apply to someone who knowingly and for their own benefit transport and try to conceal illegal aliens from Iowa law enforcement agencies.
The bill passed with the support of House Republicans. Representative Mark Thompson, a Republican from Clarion, says human smuggling is a disgusting business and the bill is needed because some of the demand comes from Iowa businesses.
Democrats opposed the bill. Representative Lindsay James, a Democrat from Dubuque, says immigration is a federal issue.
The bill now goes to the Iowa Senate, which already has passed a requirement that Iowa businesses check a federal database to see if their employees are U.S. citizens or legal residents of the country. Employers caught hiring undocumented immigrants twice in two years would lose their license to do business in Iowa if that bill becomes law.
