Idaho Senate Committee Rejects Bill Mandating Local Law Enforcement Enter Contracts With ICE

An Idaho Senate committee narrowly killed a bill Monday that would’ve mandated all local law enforcement enter into formal partnerships with federal immigration authorities. Law enforcement organizations overwhelmingly opposed the bill, arguing it was an overstep by the state and that agencies were already voluntarily cooperating with immigration agents.

Nampa Republican Sen. Brian Lenney, R-Nampa, sponsored House Bill 659, which would have required all city and county law enforcement agencies in the state to apply to enter what are called 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.

{snip}

The bill included an option to publish reasons agencies were unable to enter the agreement. However, the bill required that agencies apply to the program and said they “shall participate in any future program or successor to an existing program,” which caused some local police agencies to be concerned the bill would require all agencies to participate even if future presidential administrations significantly changed the program.

{snip}

The Idaho Sheriffs’ Association and the Idaho Chiefs of Police Association opposed the bill, which previously passed the House in a 41-27 vote.

{snip}

Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue, on behalf of the Idaho Sheriffs’ Association, said state sheriffs were “absolutely opposed to this bill.”

{snip}

The Senate State Affairs Committee voted 5-4 to hold the bill in committee, with members expressing concern with how the bill is written, especially with the portion that said agencies must participate in any future or successor programs within the 287(g) program.

{snip}