Iowa Senator Defends Deportation Policies Under Trump Administration

Sen. Jason Schultz voices strong support for federal immigration enforcement efforts in legislative newsletter

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Iowa District 6 Sen. Jason Schultz (R-Schleswig) has voiced strong support for federal immigration enforcement efforts in a recent legislative newsletter, defending deportation policies under President Donald Trump and criticizing media coverage of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Schultz says deportations of criminally identified illegal immigrants are broadly supported by Americans and notes that similar enforcement actions during the Obama administration did not face the intense pushback that recent efforts have seen, despite deportation numbers actually being higher.

Why it matters

Schultz's comments highlight the ongoing political debate around immigration enforcement, with Republicans generally supportive of aggressive deportation policies and Democrats often criticizing them. This issue has become a major point of contention between the parties, with the Trump administration taking a much harder line on immigration compared to the Obama administration.

The details

In the newsletter, Schultz points to current White House Border Czar Tom Homan, who served in a senior ICE enforcement role under President Obama and was recognized with the Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Service. Schultz says, "I am as proud of the Trump administration and ICE officers as I can be. I hope they break all records in deportations during President Trump's time in office. And then I hope the next administration crushes his record." Schultz also credits the Iowa GOP's foresight on this issue, as the legislature passed a law in 2018 that compels Iowa's state and local entities to comply with federal immigration detainers.

  • Schultz is scheduled to appear on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at the Kerkhoff Shelter House in Manning at the Carroll Chamber of Commerce's legislative forum.

The players

Sen. Jason Schultz

An Iowa state senator representing District 6 and a member of the Republican Party.

Tom Homan

The current White House Border Czar who previously served in a senior ICE enforcement role under President Obama and was recognized with the Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Service.

President Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who took a much harder line on immigration enforcement compared to the previous administration.

President Barack Obama

The former president of the United States whose administration also carried out deportation policies, though to a lesser degree of controversy compared to the Trump administration.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I am as proud of the Trump administration and ICE officers as I can be. I hope they break all records in deportations during President Trump's time in office. And then I hope the next administration crushes his record.”

— Sen. Jason Schultz, Iowa State Senator (1380kcim.com)

What’s next

Schultz is scheduled to appear on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at the Kerkhoff Shelter House in Manning at the Carroll Chamber of Commerce's legislative forum to further discuss his views on immigration enforcement.

The takeaway

Schultz's strong defense of the Trump administration's deportation policies highlights the deep partisan divide on immigration issues, with Republicans generally supporting aggressive enforcement and Democrats often criticizing such measures. This debate is likely to continue to be a major political flashpoint in the years ahead.