DES MOINES, Iowa — More than 20 states in the United States have a mandate, at some level, for the use of E-Verify for employers.

On Monday, the Des Moines School District confirmed that it did not use the federal verification system after U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley criticized the district for its failure to do so.

E-Verify is a free system that checks an employee’s authorization to work in the country with Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. The information to use E-Verify is based off of the employee’s I-9 form.

Iowa Senate Republicans have tried to pass a statewide mandate twice in the last six years, only for the bill to not advance in the Iowa House. Now, in the aftermath of former DMPS Superintendent Ian Roberts’ arrest, there could be another push for a mandate this upcoming legislative session.

“The Ian Roberts situation has highlighted the need for policies at the state level to combat illegal immigration. Senate Republicans have a very strong stance on illegal immigration. In the past several years, Senate Republicans have passed bans on sanctuary cities, given local law enforcement more tools to enforce immigration laws at the state level, and have passed E-Verify legislation several times. E-Verify and other issues to address illegal immigration will continue to be a topic of conversation amongst Senate Republicans over the coming weeks and months heading into the legislative session. I expect we will continue to lead on protecting Iowans from again experiencing this type of fraud and continue strengthening our state regarding illegal immigration.”

Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh, (R) District 32, from Spillville

The two attempts in the past came in 2019, the session following the murder of Mollie Tibbetts, a 20-year-old who was attacked while jogging near her home in Brooklyn. The bill made it out of the Iowa Senate, but could not clear the Iowa House.

The second attempt came in 2024, where once again a bill made it out of the Iowa Senate chamber but failed to gain traction in the Iowa House. Lots of business lobbying groups were registered opposed to the legislation, with concerns about who would be liable if the E-Verify system failed to properly verify work authorization.

Iowa Senate Democrats argued that point and highlighted concerns of discrimination against employees based on skin color or employers being falsely reported by members of the public.

The first day of the 2026 Iowa Legislative session is on January 12. Leaders from both parties will outline different priorities they want to spearhead, along with Governor Reynolds’ Office having policy to push for in the year ahead.