In his book, The Audacity of Hope, then Senator Barack Obama recounted the story of how in 2006, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley and he worked together on immigration reform. According to Obama,

Absent federal action, some wacky things have been going on around the country. On Wednesday, Arizona's Maricopa County Sheriff, Joe Arpaio signed up his 60th Immigration Posse to help combat the supposed threat of undocumented immigrants. What tilts this posse into crazy land is that the new 56 member posse is comprised of celebrities that include actors Steven Seagal, Lou Ferrigno (The Amazing Hulk) and Peter Lupus (Mission Impossible). In addition to Hollywood actors, the posse includes the nephew of Wyatt Earp and a retired Chicago police official named Dick Tracy.

In a press release, Arpaio said, “These guys are busy with their acting careers so I don’t expect them to be here on duty very often. But they can be instrumental in heightening public awareness of the immigration issue and encouraging others to join the posse’s effort to help reduce the flow of illegal immigrants into our communities.” Presumably, if this posse ever went out on a ride, they would be rounding up people with brown skin.

In Iowa, Representative Steve King (R-Kiron) is expected to be the Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on immigration. King has a proposal on undocumented immigrants, “every time we grant amnesty for an illegal alien, we deport a liberal.” While Senator Chuck Grassley has not gone as far as King, he too views the idea of amnesty as unacceptable and has used a two word lightning rod, “no amnesty,” as his response to questions about immigration reform.

Since the midterms, King has indicated in public statements that he will crack down on undocumented immigrants, notably proposing to withhold federal funding from communities with “Sanctuary City” ordinances on the books. With the balance of power in Washington, King's proposed crackdown is little more than vapor as it is unlikely to make its way through legislation into law.

Don't look for immigration reform from Governor-elect Terry Branstad. During his debate with Governor Culver in Cedar Rapids, one of the few points of agreement they had was that immigration reform and enforcement is a federal responsibility.

What can Iowa expect regarding immigration after the 2010 midterms? Spineless politicians and more of the same.

We will hear about the coyote caught with a vehicle full of undocumented immigrants along the I-35 and I-80 corridors.

We will hear of I-9 raids where employers are inspected and required to produce evidence of their verification of eligibility to work process.

We will hear of immigrants being abused by employers using their undocumented status to threaten them.

We will hear of labor brokers who withhold an unjust share of wages from their workers.

We will hear of mothers of US citizens unable to seek health care in the community because of their undocumented status and an inability to pay.

Or maybe we won't hear about any of this. Not because it does not happen, but because like the politicians, the corporate media does not have the will to report on these stories either. The majority of immigrants blend into the Iowa landscape without trouble, adding benefits to the state through the taxes they pay and the work they contribute. A lack of attention from politicians and media may be a good thing for Iowa.