Lawsuit Against Winneshiek County Sheriff Dropped After State Confirms Immigration Compliance

Stay informed, stay empowered: invest in the journalism that invests in you. DECORAH — A legal battle that put Winneshiek County in the statewide spotlight has come to an end. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird on Friday announced the dismissal of a lawsuit against Sheriff Dan Marx, following confirmation that Winneshiek County is in full compliance with Iowa's law prohibiting "sanctuary" policies. The controversy began earlier this year when Sheriff Marx posted on Facebook that his office would "block, interfere, and interrupt" detainer requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if they weren't accompanied by a judicial warrant. That public statement triggered a lawsuit from AG Bird's office, which argued that Marx's remarks violated Iowa Code Chapter 27A, a 2018 law requiring local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. But after weeks of discussion—and a private, in-person meeting between Bird and Marx — the state determined that Winneshiek County had in fact honored all ICE detainers and had not adopted any policy contrary to the law. In a joint press release Friday, Bird and Marx said the misunderstanding had been resolved. Marx agreed to remove his original Facebook post and issued a statement confirming his office's commitment to full compliance with the law. "My office has always complied with ICE detainers and will continue to comply with Iowa Code Section 27A," Marx said. AG Bird added, "I am glad to see Winneshiek County confirm that they will follow the law. We will always back the blue — and the rule of law." A Public Fight Goes Quietly Behind Closed Doors The case had raised eyebrows around the state, not because of what Marx did, but because of what he said. The state's lawsuit focused largely on Marx's public comments, not on evidence of actual noncompliance with ICE. The original legal complaint alleged that Marx's refusal to post a clarifying statement "as directed" by the state was evidence that he had adopted a non-cooperative stance—something Iowa law prohibits. In court filings, Marx's attorney argued that the sheriff had not violated the law and that his office routinely honored ICE detainer requests. The lawsuit, they said, was more about punishing a political statement than enforcing a policy. That argument appears to have gained ground. In dismissing the case, the Attorney General's Office acknowledged Winneshiek County had always honored ICE detainers and had no written or implied policy violating Chapter 27A. Local and Statewide Impact The dismissal puts an end to a legal drama that drew state and national attention to Decorah and raised important questions about the boundaries between local autonomy, public communication, and state authority. Here in Winneshiek County, where law enforcement and community relations run deep, the resolution came as a relief. Sheriff Dan Marx has strong support as evidenced by the 'I Stand with Dan' campaign. At a recent public meeting, Marx received vocal support from local residents who viewed the lawsuit as an overreach.With the case now closed, Marx continues with his policies intact despite friction between the Sheriff's local office and the state. Knowledge is power! Stay empowered by subscribing to the free newsletter, packed with valuable insights, stories of local newsmakers and ideas to get your weekend started.