Changes may soon be coming to the way Idaho handles illegal immigration. The Idaho House voted 61-9, along party lines, to pass House Bill 83 with Republicans voting yes and Democrats voting no.
The legislation would add a new chapter to Title 18 of the Idaho Code. That addition would make it a misdemeanor for a first time offense and a felony for subsequent violations. However, law enforcement would only be able to investigate a person's immigration status if they were already under investigation for a separate crime or had already been detained.
Bill co-sponsor, Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Dist. 10, pointed out that getting pulled over for a traffic ticket is an "infraction" and not a crime, meaning that the person would not be investigated. The other sponsor, Rep. Jaron Crane, R-Dist. 12, said the Trump administration needs states' help when it comes to illegal immigration.
"What we saw from the Trump administration was that about 3,500 people have been rounded up, so to speak, each week. If we do the math on that, that they do 3,500 a week, that's gonna be a 182,000 people per year. That's 728,000 in four years. They're estimating that over 8 million people have come into this country illegally in the last four years. So, what they need from the federal government's needing from us is a state, and there are several states starting to join going together to help them, is to put forth an effort with our law enforcement agencies here in the state to assist them in this illegal immigration issue," Crane said.
Crane also cited a report that estimated there are 35,000 illegal immigrants already in the state. The sponsors are seeking an initial investment of $250,000. The bill now heads to the senate for a vote or possible amendments.
Here's a picture you can use. I don't remember exactly who took it, whether it was me or a student, but you can just say it was BYU-Idaho Radio.