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Explore how Idaho is reshaping immigration policy and community ties

Stories by Idaho Statesman journalists, with AI summarization

This collection of stories explores Idaho's recent moves to change immigration enforcement and the effects on communities.

Avelo Airlines will end its Boise flights to begin operating deportation flights for ICE. Idaho State Police are joining a federal program to transport undocumented people convicted of crimes to ICE detention. A Twin Falls refugee was deported to Bhutan, marking the first time that country accepted such a return. Lawmakers advanced bills targeting undocumented immigrants' access to health care, and Gov. Brad Little signed an executive order reinforcing federal immigration cooperation. Rumors and fear about ICE raids have led to confusion among businesses and community members. Boise was controversially listed as a "sanctuary city" by federal officials, drawing criticism from local sheriffs and immigrant advocates, while the Trump administration also revoked student visas for some Idaho university students.

Read the stories below.

ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Fugitive Operations and Special Response Team members conduct arrests in Miami, Florida.

NO. 1: ‘FEAR’ AND ‘CHAOS’: RUMORS OF ICE IN IDAHO HAS GROUPS, EVEN LAW ENFORCEMENT, SPEAKING UP

“It’s really challenging,” one official said. | Published February 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Carolyn Komatsoulis

Governor Brad Little speaks at a press conference about the upcoming legislative session held at the Capitol, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. By Sarah A. Miller

NO. 2: IDAHO GOV. BRAD LITTLE SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ON IMMIGRATION. BUT WHAT DOES IT DO?

Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has issued a variety of immigration initiatives. | Published February 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Carolyn Komatsoulis

Yelling pro-immigration chants and holding signs decrying racism and deportation orders, several hundred people gathered at Statehouse steps for a protest. The event ended with a march around the Idaho State Capitol Building in Boise, Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. By Darin Oswald

NO. 3: LAWMAKERS WANT IDAHO ‘UNDESIRABLE’ FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS, TARGET HEALTH CARE

“We are a Christian nation,” one lawmaker said. “These are people who need help when they need help.” | Published March 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Carolyn Komatsoulis

Avelo Airlines landed for the first time in Boise, Tuesday, May 24, 2022. The new airline will offer flights to Southern California among others. By Darin Oswald

NO. 4: AVELO AIRLINES TO END BOISE FLIGHTS WITH NEW DEAL FOR DEPORTATIONS UNDER TRUMP

“We realize this is a sensitive and complicated topic,” Avelo CEO Andrew Levy said in a statement. | Published April 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kevin Fixler

NO. 5: TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS REVOKING STUDENT VISAS. HOW MANY IN IDAHO SO FAR?

“We are monitoring information that is available to us,” a Boise State University spokesperson said. | Published April 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Carolyn Komatsoulis

Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue is pictured at his office, Feb. 22, 2024.

NO. 6: ‘BETRAYED’: A TRUMP-BACKING IDAHO SHERIFF TEARS INTO THE FEDS’ ‘SANCTUARY’ LIST

The sheriff said no political appointee could tell him who compiled the list. | Published June 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Carolyn Komatsoulis

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NO. 7: ICE DEPORTS TWIN FALLS REFUGEE BINOD SHAH TO BHUTAN

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Sunday deported Twin Falls resident and refugee Binod Sh... | Published June 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by SEAN DOLAN, The Times-News, Twin Falls, Idaho

An ICE agent monitors hundreds of asylum seekers being processed upon entering the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on June 6, 2023, in New York City. By David Dee Delgado

NO. 8: IDAHO GOV. BRAD LITTLE WANTS STATE POLICE TO HELP WITH ICE DEPORTATIONS

State police, under a new federal agreement, will hand over undocumented people convicted of a crime to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Little announced Thursday. | Published June 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sarah Cutler Carolyn Komatsoulis

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.