A sheriff in Iowa could face legal action after announcing his office will “block, interfere and interrupt” federal authorities enforcing immigration laws if he deems their actions to be outside “constitutional parameters.”
On Tuesday, Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx issued a public statement explaining how he plans to handle Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other “three letter agencies” working to apprehend illegal aliens.
“Given what we have seen from these agencies, I share your mistrust and many of your concerns with the legitimacy of how these federal agents conduct business,” Marx stated.
Sheriff Marx reaffirmed his “long-time stance on not recognizing detainers” – requests from ICE to hold suspected criminals until federal authorities can take them into custody to determine if they should face additional prosecution or removal from the U.S.
“The only reason detainers are issued is because the federal agency does not have enough information or has not taken the time to obtain a valid judicial warrant. Simply put, they are not sure they are detaining the right person and need more time to figure it out. For the person who could be held erroneously (or determined to be someone other than who ICE is seeking), there is a gross violation of rights at hand,” Marx wrote.
Marx says his office will assist the feds if their “actions and paperwork are within constitutional parameters,” but vowed active resistance if not.
“If their actions or paperwork are not within constitutional parameters (such as non-judicially vetted ‘detainers,’ which are very different than warrants and are simply an unconstitutional ‘request’ from ICE or other three letter federal agency to arrest or hold someone), then we will make every effort to block, interfere and interrupt their actions from moving forward,” Marx declared.
🚨 Winneshiek County, IA: Sheriff Dan Marx has vowed to defy ICE detainers.
— Illegal Alien Crimes (@ImmigrantCrimes) February 5, 2025
And it sounds like he plans to do more than ignore them.
He said the Sheriff's office "will make every effort to block, interfere and interrupt [ICE's] actions from moving forward." pic.twitter.com/DcypM6bRNp
On Wednesday, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a press release warning Sheriff Marx that she has filed a complaint with the state’s attorney general.
“Specifically, Iowa law provides a sheriff shall not adopt or enforce a policy or take any other action under which the sheriff prohibits or discourages the enforcement of immigration laws. Iowa law further requires that a sheriff shall not prohibit or discourage a law enforcement officer from assisting or cooperating with a federal immigration officer as reasonable or necessary, including providing enforcement assistance,” Gov. Reynolds warned.
“Understand that a sheriff and county can become ineligible to receive any state funds if the local entity is found to have intentionally violated the provisions of chapter 27A.”
Today, I sent a letter to the Winneshiek County Sheriff and Board of Supervisors, reminding them of their obligation to follow state law and comply with ICE’s enforcement of our immigration laws. pic.twitter.com/CC7XEuim9W
— Gov. Kim Reynolds (@IAGovernor) February 6, 2025
InfoWars will monitor this story for new developments.