Immigration
The Problem
Idaho is a great state because we value hard work, the rule of law, and putting our own people first. But our immigration system is broken at the federal level. The federal government must secure the border. It must enforce our existing immigration laws and fix the mess in DC. Open borders and weak enforcement let in too many people who break the rules. This includes criminals who cost Idaho taxpayers millions.
In Idaho, we cannot control federal policy. But we can take smart steps right here at home.
Support our farmers without relying on illegal labor. Agriculture is Idaho's backbone. When there is a labor shortage, fields go empty and help-wanted signs stay up. Instead of looking the other way on illegal workers, we should expand proven programs like using supervised, able-bodied inmates for farm work through things like Idaho Correctional Industries. They get paid, learn skills, pay restitution, and help keep costs down for taxpayers. We can also require able-bodied welfare recipients to take these jobs where it makes sense. This promotes self-sufficiency and saves money on benefits.
Help good workers who are already here legally integrate better. For people who qualify and are contributing, we should expand low-cost or free adult education programs for English classes and civics prep. This helps them move toward legal status and citizenship. It uses existing community colleges and federal grants with little or no new taxpayer cost. It builds stronger, more integrated communities while putting Idahoans first.
Get tough on criminal illegal immigrants. Criminals who are here illegally should not finish full state prison sentences before deportation. That wastes millions of our tax dollars on housing people who should not be here. Idaho should pass a law giving the governor authority to commute sentences in deportation cases only. Then we can hand them straight to ICE and get them out of our state faster, like models used in other states. We should also push for federal agreements to expedite removals. We should encourage local sheriffs to cooperate with ICE through incentives like tying state grants to participation.
Enforcement matters, like using E-Verify where practical. But we have to pair it with real workforce solutions so farms and businesses do not suffer. No blanket amnesty. No ignoring the law. Just common-sense fixes that save money, protect our state, and keep Idaho working for Idahoans.
What I'll Do Day One as Governor
Sign an executive order to enforce existing laws and support Idaho workers using current authority. Right away:
Direct Idaho Correctional Industries to expand supervised inmate labor programs for agriculture to fill documented shortages on farms.
Direct the Department of Health and Welfare to coordinate with agencies to identify able-bodied welfare recipients who can fill available farm jobs where practical, promoting self-sufficiency and reducing benefit costs.
Partner with community colleges to expand low-cost or free adult education programs for English classes and civics preparation for legal immigrants who qualify and are contributing, using existing federal grants.
Direct the Department of Correction to identify criminal illegal immigrants eligible for commutation of sentences for immediate deportation handover to ICE, saving taxpayer dollars on full prison terms.
Enforce E-Verify for all state contractors (already required by existing executive order) and encourage its use for private employers, paired with workforce solutions to avoid labor shortages on farms and businesses.
This uses powers I already have under executive oversight of state agencies and existing statutes. No new laws needed first.
How This Is Different From Now
Right now, Idaho relies too heavily on illegal labor for agriculture, lacks coordinated alternatives, houses criminal illegal immigrants longer than necessary, and has inconsistent sheriff cooperation with ICE. This way enforces existing laws more effectively, expands proven inmate work programs, helps legal immigrants integrate, speeds deportation of criminals, incentivizes local enforcement, and enforces E-Verify for state contractors while encouraging private-sector implementation. It saves money, supports farmers, and puts Idahoans first without amnesty or ignoring the law.
What I'll Push the Legislature For
Easy laws to make it permanent:
Expand Idaho Correctional Industries authority for supervised farm labor programs.
Require able-bodied welfare recipients to participate in available farm jobs where practical.
Authorize the governor to commute sentences of criminal illegal immigrants for immediate deportation to ICE.
Require E-Verify for state contractors and encourage private-sector use.
No big new spending. All actions are funded by existing budgets and savings from waste reduction.
How We'll Check It Works
We will keep it honest with:
Public postings on Transparent Idaho showing inmate labor hours, welfare-to-work placements, English/civics class enrollment, commutations, and cost savings.
Regular audits of program outcomes, enforcement actions, and fund use.
Citizens Task Force to review reports, take input from farmers, sheriffs, and communities, and recommend improvements.
Yearly report on farm labor filled, deportation savings, legal immigrant integration, and overall cost reductions.
Everything open for anyone to look at and ask about.
How This Connects to Other Reforms
This reform enforces existing laws to protect Idaho resources and reduce uncompensated costs from illegal immigration. It directly supports Budget Allocation by lowering expenses that otherwise strain state funds. It ties to Grant reform by ensuring state funds do not support programs aiding illegal immigration. The three housing reforms benefit from reduced pressure on housing supply, rentals, and homeless services caused by illegal immigration. This reform ensures the plan protects Idahoans first and redirects resources to citizens.
Answers to Common Questions
Won't this hurt farmers who rely on immigrant labor?
No. We expand proven inmate labor programs and welfare-to-work options to fill shortages. E-Verify is paired with workforce solutions so farms do not suffer.
Is this mass deportation?
No. The focus is on criminal illegal immigrants. Law-abiding legal workers and contributors are supported, not targeted.
How do we help legal immigrants integrate?
We expand low-cost English and civics classes at community colleges using existing federal grants. This helps qualifying contributors move toward legal status and citizenship.
What about rural areas with labor needs?
Inmate labor programs and welfare-to-work are prioritized for rural farms. Local input through the Citizens Task Force ensures rural needs are met.
Does this cost taxpayers more?
No. Inmate labor saves money on benefits and restitution. Commutations reduce prison costs. All actions use existing resources and savings.
How does this connect to the budget reform?
Savings from reduced prison costs and benefit use feed budget reallocations and frontline protections.
How does this connect to the grant reform?
Grant oversight ensures state funds do not support programs aiding illegal immigration. Savings support workforce solutions.
How will we know if it is working?
Public reports on Transparent Idaho will track labor filled, cost savings, deportation numbers, and integration progress. Citizen tips help measure real impact.
What if the federal government does not cooperate on deportations?
We push for federal action while enforcing state-level fixes. Commutations work within current law to expedite removals.
What about E-Verify for private employers?
We push for E-Verify mandates paired with workforce solutions to avoid hurting farms or businesses while enforcing immigration law.