Iowans are planning protests against the new law that would allow the arrest of undocumented immigrants, similar to the Texas bill

Iowans are preparing to take to the streets on May 1 to voice their opposition to a new immigration law. passed in mid-April, which appears to take a page out of Texas’ book by also allowing state law enforcement to arrest undocumented immigrants.

The bill came two weeks ago Iowa’s Republican governor, Kim Reynolds, has criminalized presence in the state after deportationdenial of entry into the United States, or issuance of an outstanding deportation order.

Scheduled to come into effect on July 1, the law is similar to controversial Texas legislation, which allows state authorities to arrest and detain individuals suspected of being undocumented immigrants. However, the Texas bill is currently under review by the federal appeals court regarding its constitutionality.

Iowa immigration rights activists and civic organizations have begun organizing a demonstration in several Iowa cities against Senate File 2340, the bill in question.

Erica Johnson, who serves as executive director of the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, said the bill oversteps its bounds, as cited in a article through a local sales point. She emphasized that law enforcement in Iowa does not have the authority to enforce the law.

“This is a pretty clear intervention on federal land,” Johnson added. “U.S. immigration law is governed by federal law.”

Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice sponsors a demonstration in Stewart Square Park, in the city of Des Moines, on May 1 at 6 p.munder the slogan ‘May Day Human Rights March.’

“Stand together to honor immigrants and refugees who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and to stand against immigration SF2340,” invites a post on their Facebook account.

“What we need are safe communities, where workers have access to dignified, safe workplaces,” Johnson added. “The truth about what Iowa’s future could be depends on immigrants and migrant workers in our state, and unfortunately, this bill could set us back and away from that possible future.”

IA similar demonstration will take place in Waterloo on May 1which coincides with Labor Day, sponsored by Queen of Peace Parish and Spanish Ministry of Waterloo.

The event will take place at 7 p.m. in the parking lot behind the Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Participants will march one block east to Lincoln Park, where a short program and prayer service will take place.

Rev. Nils Jesus Hernandez, pastor of Queen of Peace and director of the parish’s Spanish ministry, told the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier which is the main purpose of the demonstration to highlight the harmful impact the new law will have on the immigrant community.

The pastor, born in Nicaragua, and has been a U.S. citizen since 2001, explained that the demonstration also aims to reaffirm that immigrants are valued and welcomed in Iowa, according to the newspaper. “Our immigrants are being left alone and are disturbed by this new law,” he said.