On Friday, March 6, the Idaho House passed a bill that would require all local law enforcement in the state to apply for a partnership with ICE through the nationwide 287(g) program. It awaits a vote from the senate and requires the governor’s approval before it becomes law.
The program, which is an addition to the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, was created in order to establish relationships between ICE and law enforcement agencies across the nation in an effort to more effectively carry out immigration enforcement on community levels.
House Bill 659, which passed in a 41-27 vote, would require all of Idaho’s city and county law enforcement agencies to apply the program, rather than it being optional.
Three distinct models exist within the program: a jail enforcement model, task force model and warrant service officers.
Each of these sectors hold different responsibilities, though they all allow local law enforcement to go beyond their typical duties to enforce immigration policies.
According to the map and available spreadsheet on ICE’s website, there are currently 10 participating branches in Idaho. This includes seven warrant service officer programs, one jail enforcement model and two task forces.
While most partnerships are based in southern Idaho, Kootenai County is affiliated with one warrant service officer program and the jail enforcement unit.
Dale Hawkins is the representative sponsoring HB 659.
In a video broadcast of the meeting, published by KTVB7, Hawkins defended his proposal of the bill by explaining the importance of state uniformity.
“So that we are all on the same page, so that we are all working together for the same goals,” Hawkins said.
In that same video, those against the bill shared their reasonings for opposition.
Rep. Chris Mathias said, “It’s going to undermine their [Idaho law enforcement’s] trust in us,”
After speaking to her own district sheriffs, Rep. Lori McCann said, “Every one of them said the same thing: ‘We don’t have enough manpower right now. Today, we are short.’”
Joining them in opposition during the initial bill introduction before the Idaho House of Representatives on Thursday, Feb. 26, were Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue on behalf of Idaho Sheriffs’ Association, and Hailey Chief of Police Steve England, representing Idaho Chiefs of Police Association.
The Moscow-Pullman Daily News quoted Donahue explaining the separation between state and federal duties.
“We are a constitutional office. We do not do the [federal] government’s work. We do the state government and our constitutional duties,” Donahue said.
Nationwide, there are 1,511 signed 287(g) program Memorandums of Agreement across 39 states and two U.S. territories, according to the public database.
Paige Wilton can be reached at [email protected].