Iowa's sanctuary city ban sparks local reaction

 Some people in the quad cities are speaking out against a new Iowa law. 

Governor Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 481 to ban sanctuary cities on Tuesday. 

That means cities and counties across the state would lose their state funding if they violate federal immigration laws. There haven’t been any sanctuary cities declared in the state to date, which has some saying the law doesn’t serve a purpose. 

Members of the local chapter for the League of United Latin-American Citizens, or LULAC, are speaking out. They say this ban shows the state is moving in the wrong direction, and they want to live somewhere that makes everyone feel at home. 

They say despite what the law says, it will lead to more racial profiling, isolation, and distrust for minorities across the state. 

Tar Macias is the publisher of Hola America and Hola Iowa and says he’s proud to be able to call America home for over three decades. 

“I really love this country and I know a lot of people that really love this country, that’s why it really hurts us to have these divisive politics,” he said. 

Macias says feeling separate from the community means life for immigrants isn’t always easy. 

“Because I look different, because I sound different, they have the suspicion that I’m not a U.S. citizen, but they’d be dead wrong on that,” said Macias. 

And says this ban just amde it even harder for immigrants across the state. 

“They’re going to go under the shadows again, they’re not going to get involved in their community.” 

Macias says this doesn’t just affect immigrants, it hurts the community. He says this law makes the job harder for law enforcement than it already is. 

“Taxpayers are going to be affected, police officers are going to be affected, even the regular Joe in the city is going to be affected. They don’t think they will but they will be.” 

Jazmin Newton-Butt is the President of the local LULAC chapter in Davenport ans says this ban means immigrants no longer feel welcome here. 

 “Realistically this law targets a certain group of people and that’s why we have such a big issue with it,” she said.

She says this is not the Iowa she knows, saying many opposed the ban across the state. 

“The law that was passed does not reflect what the people of Iowa would like to see,” said Newton-Butt. 

And while both are advocating for immigrants to have a better life, they say it will take a welcoming community to feel at home.  

“I don’t think anybody in the community should feel comfortable that we’ve got people that feel less of a human being,” said Macias. “I think a lot of times we’re so disconnected now with person-to-person relationships, that we don’t get to know the people that are part of our community.” 

The new law will take effect July 1.