Immigration law changes stir debate, fear, lawsuit in Idaho

Donald Trump’s immigration policies have deeply affected Idaho, creating both anxiety and new activism. Local legislators debated bills like House Bill 83, which gave law enforcement power to police immigration status, and other proposals that removed services such as prenatal care and food assistance for undocumented people. House Bill 83 was blocked by a court.

Rumors of ICE raids and actual calls to the ICE tip line — like those that targeted Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen and her farm — have increased fear in immigrant communities and even among public officials. Advocacy groups such as PODER of Idaho are working to spread reliable information and support affected individuals. The atmosphere is marked by heightened fear, legal battles, and ongoing political tension.

Donald Trump takes the stage during his rally Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 in Coachella. The rally took place in deep-blue California between other Trump campaign events this weekend in Nevada and Arizona — both swing states crucial to a presidential victory. The former president used the stop to link Vice President Kamala Harris to his described failures of the state, including the cost of living, crime and homelessness.

NO. 1: IMMIGRATION IS A HOT TOPIC. HAS TRUMP’S ELECTION VICTORY SPURRED ACTIVISM IN IDAHO?

“I think on a number of fronts, a lot of Americans are just much more tired than they were eight years ago.” | Published January 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Carolyn Komatsoulis

File - An officer with the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processes an arrest on an undocumented immigrant in California in this undated photo from ICE.

NO. 2: ‘HEIGHTENED FEAR’: IN TRUMP’S FIRST WEEK, DID IMMIGRATION ORDERS HAVE IMPACT IN IDAHO?

“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest,” a Homeland Security spokesperson said in a statement. | Published January 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Carolyn Komatsoulis

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

NO. 3: ‘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

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

NO. 4: IDAHO BILL TARGETS PRENATAL CARE, FOOD ASSISTANCE, OTHER SERVICES FOR CERTAIN IMMIGRANTS

“Our state has a finite amount of resources,” the bill sponsor said. | Published February 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Carolyn Komatsoulis

NO. 5: TRUMP’S DEPORTATION CAMPAIGN WON’T ‘MAKE A DENT,’ IDAHO LAWMAKERS SAY. THEY WANT TO HELP

Combining two bills would target undocumented people suspected of a crime. One lawmaker warned racial profiling could be a “temptation.” | Published February 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sarah Cutler

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. 6: 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

Rep. Stephanie Jo Mickelsen, R-Idaho Falls, attends the House session, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. By Sarah A. Miller

NO. 7: ‘YOU CAN REPORT HER, TOO!’ IDAHO ACTIVIST TARGETS GOP LEGISLATOR WITH CALLS FOR ICE RAIDS

The activist moved to Boise from California — and hopes to drive out people who disagree with his politics. | Published March 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniel Walters

James A. McLure Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse was designed by architect Charles Hummel. By Darin Oswald

NO. 8: IDAHO LAWMAKERS WANT TO POLICE IMMIGRATION LOCALLY. HERE’S WHAT A JUDGE SAID

“I think (the ACLU lawsuit) is a very good sign we’re doing the right thing,” one Republican lawmaker said. | Published April 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by 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.