NOW. vlog HAS CONFIRMED THAT IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT, OR ICE AGENTS, WERE IN DES MOINES TODAY. THEY ARRESTED ONE PERSON IN A PUBLIC AREA AT THE POLK COUNTY COURTHOUSE THIS MORNING. vlog PEPPA PURPURA IS LOOKING INTO WHY THAT ARREST TOOK PLACE. PEPPER. WELL, STACEY, POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS THEY DON’T HAVE DETAILS ON WHO WAS ARRESTED OR WHY. BUT THIS INCIDENT IS RAISING SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT WHEN IMMIGRATION LAW CAN BE ENFORCED. AND THIS ARREST COMES AFTER MAJOR POLICY CHANGES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED A FLURRY OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS DURING HIS FIRST WEEK IN OFFICE. MANY FOCUSED ON IMMIGRATION AS THEY TAKE EFFECT ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE IOWA MIGRANT MOVEMENT FOR JUSTICE IS FIELDING AN INFLUX OF REPORTED ICE SIGHTINGS. WHILE WE’RE CERTAINLY SEEING AN INCREASE, WE’RE NOT SEEING ANYTHING NEW. THEY SAY ICE’S ACTIONS THIS WEEK ARE TYPICAL IN IOWA, BUT THEY SAY WHAT IS UNIQUE IS THE COMMUNITY’S CONCERN. THERE IS SO MUCH FEAR AROUND THIS. THE RUMORS VERY QUICKLY SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. vlog AND THE POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE RECEIVED SIMILAR TIPS ON THURSDAY, CLAIMING MULTIPLE PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED BY ICE AT THE POLK COUNTY COURTHOUSE THAT MORNING. THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE CONFIRMS ONLY ONE ARREST WAS MADE AN ATTORNEY WHO SAYS SHE WITNESSED THE INCIDENT SAYS SEEING ICE TAKE A PERSON INTO CUSTODY THERE FELT UNUSUAL. IT’S NOT NORMAL THAT THIS IS HAPPENING. FROM OUR STANDPOINT EITHER. SO IT’S SOMETHING THAT WE’RE NOT USED TO, WE’RE NOT PREPARED FOR. ACCORDING TO THE ICE WEBSITE, AN INTERNAL MEMO FOR ALL ICE EMPLOYEES WENT OUT DAYS BEFORE THE ARREST ON THURSDAY. IT ADVISED ICE AGENTS THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO ENFORCE IMMIGRATION LAW WHEN PEOPLE ARE IN COURT FOR CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS. PREVIOUSLY, THE ORGANIZATION COULD ONLY TAKE ACTION IF THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY OR PUBLIC SAFETY, OR TO PREVENT THE DESTRUCTION OF EVIDENCE IN A CRIMINAL CASE. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IS ALSO OVERTURNING GUIDELINES THAT PREVENTED ICE FROM MAKING ARRESTS IN AREAS SUCH AS SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES. SEVERAL PARENTS FROM LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS SENT vlog LETTERS THEY RECEIVED FROM THEIR SUPERINTENDENTS. THE URBANDALE COMMUNITY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT NOTIFIED FAMILIES ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE ORDER. JOHNSTON COMMUNITY SCHOOLS ALSO SENT OUT A LETTER REASSURING PARENTS THAT THE SUPREME COURT PREVIOUSLY RULED THAT STUDENTS CANNOT BE DENIED A PUBLIC EDUCATION BECAUSE OF THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS. AND JOHNSTON SCHOOLS ALSO SAY THAT THE DISTRICT DOES NOT POSSESS DETAILS ABOUT A STUDENT’S IMMIGRATION STATUS. FEDERAL LAW LIMITS. FEDERAL LAW LIMITS WHAT DETAILS AN AGENCY LIKE ICE CAN POSSESS FROM THE DISTRICT, AND SAYS PARENTS CAN REQUEST THE SCHOOL NOT SHARE DETAILS THAT DON’T FALL UNDER THE POLICY, INCLUDING THE CHILD’S NAME, ADDRESS, CONTACT INFORMATION AND OTHER DETAILS. STACEY PEPPER, THANK YOU. RIGHT NOW, THE ACLU OF IOWA IS REMINDING PEOPLE OF THEIR RIGHTS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS. THEY SAY IF IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT AGENTS SHOW UP AT YOUR DOOR, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO OPEN IT. THEY SAY YOU SHOULD ASK AGENTS WHY THEY ARE THERE AND ASK FOR AN INTERPRETER IF YOU NEED ONE. THEY SAY IF ANYBODY TRIES TO ENTER, YOU SHOULD ASK TO SEE A WARRANT SIGNED BY A JUDGE. IF THEY DON’T HAVE ONE, YOU CAN REFUSE TO LET THEM IN. IF YOU ARE ARRESTED, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT AND DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING OR SAY ANYTHING UNTIL YOU SPEAK WITH A LAWYER. AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW UP WITH AUTHORITIES ABOUT THE ICE PRESENCE IN OUR STATE FOR MORE RESOURCES AND COV
ICE arrest at Des Moines courthouse prompts immigration enforcement questions
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Updated: 9:58 AM CST Jan 24, 2025
The new presidential administration's changes to federal immigration policy are prompting questions about where immigration law can be enforced after an arrest Thursday at the Polk County courthouse. vlog received more than a dozen tips on Thursday about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent sightings throughout the metro area, including claims that multiple people were arrested at the Polk County courthouse. The Polk County Sheriff's Office confirms ICE arrested one person in a public area at the courthouse, but does not have details about who the person was or why the arrest was made.An attorney who says she saw the arrest that the incident felt unusual. "It's not normal that this is happening from (an attorney's) standpoint either, so it's something that we're not used to, not prepared for," Sydney Ross said. Four days before the incident, ICE published an internal memorandum that advised agents that they are able to enforce immigration law when people are in court for criminal proceedings. Previously, courthouse immigration arrests were limited to "circumstances against public safety threats." The following exceptions are examples of times when an arrest would be allowed in a courthouse:It involves a national security threatThere is imminent risk of death, violence, or physical harm to any personIt involves the pursuit of an individual who poses a threat to public safetyThere is an imminent risk of destruction of evidence material to a criminal caseIt is necessary to act in or near the courthouse because a safe alternative location does not exist or would be too difficult to achieve the enforcement action at such a locationThe action has been approved in advance by a Field Office Director, Special Agent in Charge, Chief Patrol Agent, or Port Director approval in advance of the enforcement actionPresident Donald Trump also overturned guidelines that prevented ICE from making arrests in "sensitive areas," according to a news release Tuesday. Previously, ICE was also restricted from making arrests in:SchoolsMedical or mental health care facilitiesPlaces of worship or religious studiesPlaces where children gatherSocial services establishmentsPlaces where disaster or emergency response/relief is providedPlaces where funerals, graveside ceremonies, rosaries, weddings, or other religious or civil ceremonies or observances occurPlaces where there are ongoing parades, demonstrations, or ralliesIn response to the order, Urbandale community school Superintendent Dr. Rosalie Daca notified families about the executive order and directed them to immigration resources. The following is part of her letter: "If ICE officials arrive with a judicial warrant signed by a judge, or a subpoena, we will seek verification of their identity (as we would for any visitor). Once verified, by law we must comply with the actions outlined in the legal document. While we will remain in compliance with all state and federal laws, we also remain fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students and staff. Educators throughout our district take great care and pride in teaching all students, reaching all students, and welcoming all students, staff, and families. We want every student, every staff member, and every family to feel a true sense of connection and belonging when they are in our schools. We have faced difficult challenges before, and we will likely continue to face them, but I know at the heart of our district is a fundamental belief in teaching all, reaching all, and welcoming all."Johnston Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Nikki Roorda also sent out a letter reassuring parents that students cannot be denied a public education because of their immigration status, and explained what information is available about their child through the district. It reads in part: "Please be assured that under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) law, we are required to limit access to student records and only disclose them under specific, lawful circumstances. Our Student Directory Information Policy (506.2) outlines what is considered information that can be shared with third parties without consent. If you do not wish that information to be shared about your child, you need to notify the school in writing. It is important to note that directory information does not include a student's citizenship or immigration status.The Supreme Court ruling in Plyler v. Doe clearly states that no student can be denied access to public education based on their immigration status. As a result, the District does not collect, store, or have any information about a student's immigration status."
DES MOINES, Iowa — The new presidential administration's changes to federal immigration policy are prompting questions about where immigration law can be enforced after an arrest Thursday at the Polk County courthouse.
vlog received more than a dozen tips on Thursday about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent sightings throughout the metro area, including claims that multiple people were arrested at the Polk County courthouse. The Polk County Sheriff's Office confirms ICE arrested one person in a public area at the courthouse, but does not have details about who the person was or why the arrest was made.
An attorney who says she saw the arrest that the incident felt unusual.
"It's not normal that this is happening from (an attorney's) standpoint either, so it's something that we're not used to, not prepared for," Sydney Ross said.
Four days before the incident, ICE published that advised agents that they are able to enforce immigration law when people are in court for criminal proceedings. Previously, courthouse immigration arrests were limited to "circumstances against public safety threats." The following exceptions are examples of times when an arrest would be allowed in a courthouse:
- It involves a national security threat
- There is imminent risk of death, violence, or physical harm to any person
- It involves the pursuit of an individual who poses a threat to public safety
- There is an imminent risk of destruction of evidence material to a criminal case
- It is necessary to act in or near the courthouse because a safe alternative location does not exist or would be too difficult to achieve the enforcement action at such a location
- The action has been approved in advance by a Field Office Director, Special Agent in Charge, Chief Patrol Agent, or Port Director approval in advance of the enforcement action
President Donald Trump also overturned guidelines that prevented ICE from making arrests in "sensitive areas," according to . Previously, ICE was also restricted from making arrests in:
- Schools
- Medical or mental health care facilities
- Places of worship or religious studies
- Places where children gather
- Social services establishments
- Places where disaster or emergency response/relief is provided
- Places where funerals, graveside ceremonies, rosaries, weddings, or other religious or civil ceremonies or observances occur
- Places where there are ongoing parades, demonstrations, or rallies
In response to the order, Urbandale community school Superintendent Dr. Rosalie Daca notified families about the executive order and directed them to immigration resources. The following is part of her letter:
"If ICE officials arrive with a judicial warrant signed by a judge, or a subpoena, we will seek verification of their identity (as we would for any visitor). Once verified, by law we must comply with the actions outlined in the legal document.
While we will remain in compliance with all state and federal laws, we also remain fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students and staff. Educators throughout our district take great care and pride in teaching all students, reaching all students, and welcoming all students, staff, and families. We want every student, every staff member, and every family to feel a true sense of connection and belonging when they are in our schools. We have faced difficult challenges before, and we will likely continue to face them, but I know at the heart of our district is a fundamental belief in teaching all, reaching all, and welcoming all."
Johnston Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Nikki Roorda also sent out a letter reassuring parents that students cannot be denied a public education because of their immigration status, and explained what information is available about their child through the district. It reads in part:
"Please be assured that under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) law, we are required to limit access to student records and only disclose them under specific, lawful circumstances. Our Student Directory Information Policy (506.2) outlines what is considered information that can be shared with third parties without consent. If you do not wish that information to be shared about your child, you need to notify the school in writing. It is important to note that directory information does not include a student's citizenship or immigration status.
The Supreme Court ruling in Plyler v. Doe clearly states that no student can be denied access to public education based on their immigration status. As a result, the District does not collect, store, or have any information about a student's immigration status."
