The number of undocumented persons in Iowa has grown steadily since the last amnesty program of the 1980's.
Immigrants come to Iowa in search of a better life for themselves and their families.
But most of them live without any possibility of gaining legal residency or US citizenship. They live in constant fear of arrest and deportation, which would mean loss of their jobs and separation from their families. And they suffer from additional hardships based on discrimination, such as racial profiling. We would like to suggest that immigrants be recognized for the positive strengths that they bring to our state. Iowa needs immigrants.