In a move reminiscent of Texas, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a new bill into law that grants law enforcement officers the authority to arrest some undocumented migrants. The bill, signed on Wednesday, criminalizes the act of being in the state after being deported, denied admission to the United States, or possessing an outstanding deportation order.

Similar to Texas' controversial law, which is currently blocked pending a federal appeals court's judgment on its constitutionality, the Iowa legislation empowers state officials to arrest and detain suspected illegal immigrants. It also allows state judges to order the deportation of immigrants.

Governor Reynolds justified the bill by stating that those who enter the country unlawfully have already broken the law, and criticized President Joe Biden for his reluctance to enforce immigration laws. She believes that the new legislation will provide Iowa law enforcement with the tools to address the issue effectively.

The Biden administration, however, pointed to the failure of a bipartisan border security bill in Congress as a roadblock to resolving the immigration issue. White House spokesperson Angelo Fernández Hernández accused Congressional Republicans of prioritizing partisan politics over national security and urged them to support the proposed bipartisan border security agreement.

This development has further heated up the debate on immigration, with Republicans leveraging high levels of illegal border crossings against Democrats, specifically President Biden. Both parties continue to spar over measures to secure the southern border.

In response to the Iowa legislation, local immigrant rights groups such as the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice have been protesting throughout the year. They expressed their disappointment in an online statement, emphasizing that immigrants and refugees should be welcomed in Iowa.

Under the new law, individuals arrested would have the choice to accept a deportation order issued by a state judge or potentially face prosecution. The bill mandates that the deportation order outline the mode of transportation to a US entry port and specify the law enforcement officer or state agency responsible for overseeing the removal.

The Mexican government has vowed to take action against Iowa's law, stating that it will explore legal advice and resources to protect the rights of Mexicans living in Iowa.

The new law is set to take effect on July 1, adding Iowa to the ongoing discussions surrounding immigration policy and enforcement in the United States.