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

Starting July 1, 2026, Iowa is implementing significant changes to how public sector employees, professional license applicants, and voters are verified. Governor Kim Reynolds has signed Senate File 2218 into law, requiring state and local government bodies, as well as schools, to use E-Verify for new hires. This law also mandates the use of the SAVE program for checking the immigration or citizenship status of those seeking professional licenses and for verifying the citizenship of registered voters. These measures aim to strengthen employment eligibility and citizenship verification processes across the state.

E-Verify for Public Sector New Hires

Senate File 2218 makes E-Verify a mandatory step for all new hires within Iowa’s public sector. This requirement extends to state executive branch agencies, the legislative branch, counties, cities, and all public and private schools, including charter and innovation zone schools. Previously, some agencies voluntarily used E-Verify, but this new law codifies it as a statutory requirement for public employment.

The E-Verify system is an internet-based program that compares information provided by employers from an employee’s Form I-9 to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility. If a new public employee receives a mismatch result from E-Verify, they will have 10 days to challenge it through an appeals process outlined in the law. This ensures a clear procedure for resolving discrepancies.

SAVE Checks for Professional Licenses and Voter Registration

Beyond employment, Senate File 2218 also directs licensing boards to use the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program. This means that individuals applying for state-issued professional and occupational licenses must have their citizenship or legal immigration status verified through SAVE. This requirement was previously an executive branch directive but is now a statutory obligation for licensing boards.

Furthermore, the law tasks the Iowa Secretary of State with using SAVE to confirm the citizenship status of registered voters. Those flagged during this review will need to provide proof of citizenship. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of their voter registration. This addition aims to ensure the integrity of voter rolls.

Background and Rationale for the New Law

The passage of Senate File 2218 was influenced by a case involving Ian Roberts, the former superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools. Roberts was arrested in September 2025 for possessing firearms while in the U.S. illegally, despite having a federal order of removal from May 2024. State officials discovered that existing vetting processes had not identified Roberts’ immigration status when he was hired by the school district in 2023. This incident highlighted perceived gaps in state and local hiring and vetting procedures, leading to increased pressure for mandatory verification systems.

Governor Reynolds had already initiated steps in this direction with Executive Order 15 in October 2025, which required state agencies to verify the legal immigration or citizenship status of new hires. Senate File 2218 expands upon this by encompassing local governments and school systems and integrating employment screening with broader verification rules. The law also introduces penalties for employers, including private businesses, who knowingly hire someone using a false Social Security number, with fines potentially reaching $10,000.

Implications for Public Employers and Workers

Public employers across Iowa now have a clear statutory deadline to integrate E-Verify and SAVE checks into their standard operating procedures by July 1, 2026. This includes state agencies, county offices, city governments, and all school systems. Licensing boards must also adapt their processes to include SAVE verification before approving new license applications.

The law’s reach is extensive, affecting not only new hires and license applicants but also registered voters and, in some cases, criminal defendants. Unauthorized immigrants charged with crimes, excluding simple misdemeanors, will face a rebuttable presumption against pretrial release under the new statute. This comprehensive approach aims to create a more robust system for verifying immigration and citizenship status across various public functions.

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