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Immigrant-welcome leader urges North Liberty council to oppose state bill that would ban community ID
Summary
Mazaher Sali and community leaders urged the North Liberty City Council to oppose HF2296, a bill expected in the Iowa House that would bar cities and counties from issuing local community ID cards; speakers said the IDs improve public safety and trust and asked the council to publicly back Johnson County’s program.
Mazaher Sali, executive director of the Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County, told the North Liberty City Council on Feb. 24 that HF2296, a bill expected to be debated in the Iowa House as soon as the next day, would eliminate the county’s existing community ID program and weaken public safety.
"This is about public safety and local control," Sali said, urging the council to "publicly affirm your support for Johnson County Community ID" and to contact state leaders immediately to express concern.
Sali described the program as a limited local identification card that cannot be used to vote, drive or access state or federal benefits but helps residents interact safely with local institutions, including law enforcement and emergency responders. He said the cards have increased trust, encouraged victims and witnesses to report crimes, and helped seniors and parents better engage with schools.
Viju Mali, a community leader and former board member of the Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa, followed Sali and said the community ID reduced fear in immigrant populations and made residents more willing to cooperate with police and access services. "The community ID changed that. It reduced fear, built trust, and made people more willing to cooperate with law enforcement and access local services that benefit immigrant communities," Mali said.
Speakers asked the council to send a public statement backing the Johnson County program and to contact Speaker Pat Grassley and other state legislators. Council members did not take a formal vote or adopt a proclamation on the item during the meeting; public comment closed at the end of the speakers’ remarks.
The speakers said the measure, HF2296, would override local decisions and remove a tool Johnson County has used to help residents who lack state-issued identification. Council members said they were monitoring state proposals affecting local control and would continue to receive updates from staff on pending legislation.
The bill was described as likely to be debated in the Iowa House immediately following the meeting; the council did not record any formal direction to staff on the issue during the Feb. 24 session.
