Executive Order 15

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IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF IOWA EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER FIFTEEN

WHEREAS, an alien is not eligible for any state or local public benefit except as provided to 8 U.S.C. §1621;

WHEREAS, such benefits include, but are not limited to, a professional license pursuant to 8 U.S.C. §1621(c)(1)(A);

WHEREAS, a state is authorized to require an applicant for State and local public benefits to provide proof of eligibility pursuant to 8 U.S.C. §1625;

WHEREAS, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (“PRWORA”) also provides that aliens who are not qualified aliens are ineligible for certain federal benefits pursuant to 8 U.S.C. §§1611, 1613(a);

WHEREAS, PRWORA requires the U. S. Attorney General to create verification requirements to ensure that only qualified aliens are eligible to receive benefits pursuant to 8 U.S.C. §1642(a)(3);

WHEREAS, on February 19, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14218 directing agencies to comply with PRWORA to the maximum extent permitted by law so that no taxpayer-funded benefits would go to unqualified aliens.

WHEREAS, in discharging her responsibilities under Executive Order 14218, the U.S. Attorney General, on July 11, 2025 issued an A.G. Order that precluded any exception for benefits under PRWORA unless stated in the statute itself;

WHEREAS, certain state agencies (as defined in Jowa Code §669.2(5) have codified the requirement that an applicant for public benefits from the State of Iowa provide proof of eligibility, while other state agencies have not done so;

WHEREAS, the federal government has certain resources to verify citizenship and immigration status, including the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (“SAVE”) Program;

WHEREAS, the SAVE Program is operated by the United States Department of Homeland Security (“USDHS”), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) and uses the Verification Information System (“VIS”);

WHEREAS, President Trump has enhanced the SAVE Program as provided in Executive Order 14218, Section 2(ii) and Executive Order 14159, Section 18;

WHEREAS, any state agency can seek to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA”) with USCIS to access the SAVE Program to verify U.S. citizenship and immigration status;

WHEREAS, an agency seeking access to the SAVE Program must, among other things, provide legal authority under state or federal law that authorizes the agency to use the SAVE Program to verify U.S. citizenship or immigration status to determine eligibility for the benefits they administer.

WHEREAS, it is necessary for all state agencies within the executive branch to have access to the SAVE Program to determine eligibility for benefits from the State of Iowa, including licensing;

WHEREAS, access to the SAVE Program will enhance the State of Iowa’s ability to comply with federal law;

WHEREAS, this Executive Order is specifically intended to constitute the necessary l egal authority for state agencies within the executive branch to verify each applicant for a professional license is a U.S. citizen or an eligible alien;

WHEREAS, a clearinghouse would be the most efficient and cost-effective manner for state agencies within the executive branch to access the SAVE Program;

WHEREAS, the immigration policy of the United States plays an important role in the ability of employers, including the State of Iowa, to ensure a legal workforce;

WHEREAS, USCIS has an internet-based system known as E-Verify which uses government records to assist in confirming employment eligibility for newly hired employees; and

WHEREAS, E-Verify is considered a “best practice” among public and private employers to ensure their compliance with immigration laws.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, KIMBERLY K. REYNOLDS, Governor of the State of Iowa, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the Constitution and statutes of the State of lowa do hereby ORDER and DIRECT the following:

I. Except as provided in section III or where exempted by federal law, every state agency within the executive branch shall verify the U.S. citizenship and immigration status of any natural person who has applied for a professional license from the state, as defined in 8 U.S.C. §1621, that is administered by any state agency.

IL. The provisions of this Executive Order shall be enforced without discrimination regarding race, religion, gender, ethnicity, or national origin.

Il. Verification of U.S. citizenship and immigration status under the provisions of this section shall not be required: a. For any purpose for which lawful presence in the United States is not restricted by law, ordinance, or regulation;

b. For any other purpose required by 8 U.S.C. §1611 et seg. or Order by the U.S. Attorney General pursuant thereto.

VE No state agency within the executive branch shall provide any professional license, as defined in 8 U.S.C. §1621, in violation of the provisions of this Executive Order.

V. A SAVE Program Clearinghouse (“SAVE Clearinghouse”) shall be established within the executive branch which will access the SAVE Program for each such state agency relying on this Executive Order as the basis for legal authority to verify U.S. citizenship and immigration status. All state agencies within the executive branch shall cooperate fully with requests made by the SAVE Clearinghouse.

VI. All work by the SAVE Clearinghouse shall be done in a manner consistent with laws and regulations of the State of Iowa, and of the laws and regulations of the United States.

VI. Each state agency with the executive branch along with the Board of Regents shall use E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of newly hired employees.

VII. This Executive Order shall be interpreted in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations and shall not supersede any laws or regulations in place as of its effective date. If any provision of this Executive Order is found to be invalid, unenforceable, or otherwise contrary to applicable law, then the remaining provisions of this Executive Order, as applied to any person or circumstance, shall continue in full force and effect, and shall not be affected by such finding of invalidity or unenforceability.

IX. This Executive Order does not create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural enforceable at law or in equity, by any party against the State of lowa, its state agencies, or its officers, employees, agents, or any other persons.

x This Executive Order shall apply prospectively only as of its effective date.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I HAVE HEREUNTO SUBSCRIBED MY NAME AND CAUSED THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF IOWA TO BE AFFIXED AT DES MOINES, IOWA THIS EIGHTH DAY OF OCTBER IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE.

ATTESE ie PAUL D. PATE SECRETARY OF STATE