Iowans are compassionate people. We believe in hard work, personal responsibility, and following the rules. That’s why most Iowans support legal immigration and welcome people who want to come here the right way, contribute, and build a better life for their families.

But Iowans also believe in the rule of law and that borders matter and the public safety of Americans is paramount.

For four years under Joe Biden, Washington acted like enforcing immigration law was somehow optional. Democrats across the country agreed. The result was chaos at the southern border and consequences that reached every corner of the country, including states like Iowa that sit hundreds of miles away.

Under Biden, every state became a border state.

While the true number may be even higher, an estimated 6.7 million illegal immigrants entered the United States during the Biden administration. Americans watched overwhelmed border communities, cartel activity, human trafficking, and dangerous criminals take advantage of a system that stopped prioritizing enforcement.

Iowans have seen the consequences firsthand.

Sarah Root and Mollie Tibbetts were young Iowans with bright futures who were killed by illegal immigrants who should never have been in this country. Their families should never have had to endure those tragedies.

In Sarah Root’s case, her killer was allowed to post bond and fled the country because of a legal loophole. Years later, under President Trump, he was finally arrested in Honduras and returned to face justice. President Trump later signed Sarah’s Law, championed by Iowa’s congressional delegation, to help ensure no family experiences that heartbreak again.

Public safety should never be controversial.

That’s why Republicans in Iowa have supported stronger cooperation with ICE, banned sanctuary city policies, and worked to ensure law enforcement has the tools necessary to keep dangerous individuals off our streets.

Meanwhile, too many Democrats continue to dodge straightforward questions about immigration enforcement. While many in his party lob insults and attack ICE, Rob Sand, the presumed Democrat nominee for governor, is silent. He has repeatedly avoided clearly stating whether he would maintain Iowa’s cooperation with ICE. Voters deserve a clear answer.

This debate is often framed dishonestly. Democrats want voters to believe Republicans oppose immigration entirely which is simply untrue.

Iowa depends on legal immigration. Agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and construction all rely on hardworking people who want to contribute to our economy and communities. Iowa can support legal immigration while also insisting that laws be enforced and borders secured. Those ideas are not in conflict unless politicians choose to make them so.

What Iowans oppose is a system where people skip the line, enter illegally, and receive preferential treatment while families who follow the legal process wait years to come to this country the right way.

Republicans believe immigration should be lawful, orderly, and serve the interests of American citizens first. That includes securing the border, deporting criminals who are here illegally, and ensuring states like Iowa can continue cooperating with federal law enforcement.

The contrast since President Trump returned to office has been significant. Border crossings have sharply declined, deportations have increased, and for the first time in decades, the United States experienced negative net migration in 2025 after strong enforcement measures were put in place. That happened because leadership changed and priorities changed.

Americans should not be afraid to expect enforcement of immigration laws. They should not be lectured for wanting safe communities or secure borders. And they should not be told that compassion requires accepting disorder and chaos.

Iowans are compassionate people. But compassion should never come at the expense of public safety, the rule of law, or the citizens whom the government is elected to protect.

As this election approaches, voters should ask themselves a simple question: which party is willing to enforce the law, support legal immigration, and protect Iowa families at the same time?

Linda Upmeyer is the co-chair of the Republican Party of Iowa.