Sun Mar 16 01:13:34 UTC 2025: ## Trump Administration Dismisses Biden-Era Lawsuits Against Iowa and Oklahoma Immigration Laws
**Des Moines, IA – March 16, 2025** – The Trump administration has dismissed lawsuits filed by the Biden administration against Iowa and Oklahoma, challenging state laws criminalizing the presence of undocumented immigrants. These laws, mirroring a similar Texas law, allow state and local officials to arrest and charge individuals with outstanding deportation orders or a history of denied US entry.
The Biden administration argued the state laws unconstitutionally overstepped federal immigration authority. However, the Trump administration, echoing Republican criticisms of the Biden administration’s border policies, sided with Iowa and Oklahoma. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond stated the Biden administration’s opposition was “absurd,” blaming the White House for the necessity of the state law due to its “gross negligence” on border security.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird hailed the dismissal as a “major victory,” emphasizing President Trump’s commitment to “Making America Safe Again.” The move follows President Trump’s campaign promises to crack down on illegal immigration and deport undocumented individuals, promises enacted via executive orders upon taking office.
However, the legal battle is not entirely over. A separate lawsuit filed by the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice against Iowa’s law is complicated by the federal government’s withdrawal. The 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled this lawsuit moot due to the federal government’s action, although the immigrant rights group plans to continue its fight to prevent the law’s enforcement. The group has filed a petition for rehearing. The legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, Rita Bettis Austen, affirmed their continued commitment to opposing the law.
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