The Iowa Legislature passed a bill making illegal immigration a state crime Tuesday, reinforcing federal laws against the practice and echoing other conservative states in a crackdown on immigration.

Senate File 2430 passed the state House 64-30 Tuesday, sending the measure to Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-Iowa), who is expected to sign it into law.

The bill makes illegal entry into Iowa a criminal misdemeanor and enables state courts to order deportations, as well as allowing law enforcement to escort people to border ports of entry to ensure they leave the country, matters that have historically been under jurisdiction of the federal government.

State Rep. Steven Holt (R), floor manager for the bill, said he pursued the legislation because the federal government was not doing enough to stop illegal immigration.

“The status quo of federal government failure is unsustainable,” Holt told The Des Moines Register. {snip}

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