HB198 is an anti-immigrant bill that prohibits sanctuary policies anywhere in the state. It would prohibit the State and all counties, cities, and other localities from following any policies that discourage enforcement of immigration laws. This mandates that immigration enforcement becomes the top priority for cities, counties, colleges, universities or state agencies and penalizes those entities which choose not to comply with potentially unconstitutional federal immigration policy.
Immigration detainers violate the constitutional rights of citizens, permanent residents, refugees, and new immigrants alike. Forcing Idaho’s law enforcement agencies to honor every detainer puts all of us in danger of unconstitutional, unjustified incarceration. Local governments should not be forced to choose between their budgets and the Constitutional rights of their residents.
