DES MOINES, Iowa — An Iowa House subcommittee advanced a bill on Thursday that would require local law enforcement to participate in immigration programs.

The bill says that no later than the beginning of the next year, every law enforcement agency in the state will enter into written agreements with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to participate in immigration programs.

That means local law enforcement will be enabled to perform as immigration officers within their jurisdictions after training.

“Let’s call this what it is it is an anti-immigrant bill,” said Maria Gonzalez from Marshalltown.

“Unfunded mandates are stressful it would cause harm to the community relationship between our Latinos and our law enforcement,” said Patricia Ritchie from Carroll

“The xenophobia and hatred that these men keep pushing every session are anti-Iowan and frankly anti-American,” said Vanessa Marcano-Kelly from West Des Moines.

The subcommittee was packed with those speaking in opposition with members of the Latino community holding signage and voicing their opinions, and concerns of discrimination.

No one spoke in favor of the bill besides the two republicans on the committee that advanced it. Both argued that illegal and legal immigration needs to be emphasized, and this bill would help do that.

“There is a huge difference between legal and illegal immigration that so many groups seek to erase that difference this legislation is of critical importance to ensure that the rule of law is restored, and our communities are made safe,” said Rep. Steve Holt, (R) District 12 from Denison.

“Law enforcement currently struggle with resources as they go right now and we do have some concerns that additional loads on our resources without some funding to support that may create some additional challenges,” said Chief Chad McCluskey, from Waukee. He is also the Vice President of the Iowa Police Chiefs Association. The group is registered as undecided as the resources required for the work the bill would demand is something local police departments are not equipped for at the moment