Iowa’s New E-Verify and SAVE Mandates for Public Sector Workers

Starting July 1, 2026, Iowa is implementing significant changes for public sector employment, professional licensing, and voter registration. Governor Kim Reynolds has signed Senate File 2218 into law, requiring government bodies and schools to use federal verification systems for new hires and license applicants. This new legislation expands upon previous executive orders, creating a broader framework for verifying immigration and citizenship status across various state and local functions.

The law mandates that all state executive branch agencies, the legislative branch, counties, cities, and public and private schools must use E-Verify for new hires. Additionally, licensing boards are now required to use the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to check the status of applicants for professional and occupational licenses. These measures aim to ensure that individuals working in public service or holding state-issued licenses are legally authorized to do so.

E-Verify for Public Sector New Hires

Under Senate File 2218, E-Verify becomes a mandatory part of the hiring process for all new public employees in Iowa. This federal system checks the employment eligibility of new hires by comparing information from the employee’s Form I-9 with records from the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security. The goal is to prevent unauthorized workers from being hired into government positions.

Public employers, including state agencies, local governments, and school districts, must integrate E-Verify into their standard hiring procedures. If a new employee receives a mismatch result from E-Verify, they will have 10 days to challenge the finding through an established appeals process outlined in the law. This ensures a fair process while maintaining the integrity of the verification system.

SAVE Checks for Professional Licenses

Beyond employment, Senate File 2218 also extends verification requirements to the issuance of professional and occupational licenses. State licensing boards must now use the SAVE program to confirm the citizenship or legal immigration status of all applicants. This means that individuals seeking licenses for professions such as healthcare, engineering, or teaching will undergo this federal check.

The SAVE program is designed to verify immigration status for access to federal benefits and services, and its application to state licensing ensures a consistent approach to verifying legal status for those in regulated professions. This measure aims to close potential loopholes and ensure that only legally authorized individuals can obtain and hold professional licenses issued by the state of Iowa.

Voter Registration Verification

The new law also impacts voter registration in Iowa. The Iowa Secretary of State is directed to use the SAVE program to verify the citizenship status of registered voters. This process is intended to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote in the state.

Individuals flagged during this review will be required to provide proof of citizenship. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of their voter registration. This provision is part of a broader effort to enhance election integrity and ensure compliance with citizenship requirements for voting.

Penalties for Employers and Consequences for Unauthorized Immigrants

Senate File 2218 includes penalties for employers who knowingly hire individuals using false Social Security numbers, with fines potentially reaching up to $10,000. This provision applies to all employers, not just those in the public sector. The law also introduces a significant change for unauthorized immigrants charged with crimes.

Except for simple misdemeanors, unauthorized immigrants facing criminal charges will be subject to a rebuttable presumption against pretrial release. This means that judges will assume that such individuals should not be released before their trial, placing a higher burden on the defendant to prove they should be granted release. This aspect of the law was influenced by a case involving a former school superintendent who was found to be in the U.S. illegally despite having a federal removal order.