Another effort to force federal immigration partnership on Idaho law enforcement dies in the Senate
BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — A third attempt to mandate formal partnerships between Idaho law enforcement and federal immigration authorities has died in the Senate Chambers.
On Thursday, April 2, Senator Mark Harris (R-Soda Springs) asked the chamber to reject amendments to Senate Bill 1247. Harris, the bill's sponsor before it was amended in the House, argued the changes match the language of Senate Bill 1441, violating a Senate rule that prevents bill amendments from including the text from other pending legislation, as reported by the Idaho Capital Sun.
The move effectively killed a controversial effort to revive a failed piece of legislation.
Radiator Capping Explained
The legislation became the center of a hostile debate Wednesday night when Representatives Jordan Redman (R-Coeur d’Alene) and Dale Hawkins (R-Fernwood) introduced amendments to completely rewrite SB 1247, as reported by the Idaho Capital Sun.
RELATED: Idaho House lawmakers do ‘hostile’ takeover of E-Verify bill to mandate 287(g) agreements
The tactic, known as "radiator capping," essentially treats a bill like a car, where the entire engine is replaced aside from the "radiator cap,"; Or in this case, the bill number. This tactic is often used to bypass the standard committee process and public hearings to force through polarizing legislation.
Reviving a Failed Mandate
The rejected amendments attempted to resurrect House Bill 659, which died in a Senate committee earlier this year. The proposal would have required every Idaho law enforcement agency to enter into 287(g) agreements with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Under these agreements, local officers would be required to participate in:
- Jail Enforcement: Screening inmates for immigration status.
- Warrant Service: Executing federal administrative warrants.
- Task Force Operations: Actively searching for and taking action against undocumented immigrants in the community.
Law Enforcement and Political Pressure
HB 659 was extremely unpopular with Idaho law enforcement. The Idaho Sheriff's Association has repeatedly argued that resources are already stretched thin and the legislation forces local agencies to join "any future program or successor" created by the federal government. While several Idaho counties have already opted into these programs voluntarily, the ISA stresses that many have chosen not to opt into the program due to the financial and manpower costs involved.
RELATED: Idaho law enforcement continues vocal opposition as ICE legislation heads to State Senate
The push to bring back and pass the bill follows reports of intense pressure from Washington, D.C. On March 17, Stephen Miller, a top immigration advisor for the Trump administration, reportedly contacted Governor Brad Little and legislative leaders to urge action.
RELATED: Idaho Sheriffs slam D.C. pressure to resurrect failed immigration enforcement bill
Local News 8 has reached out to the Governor's Office to confirm these reports, but has not received word back. However, opponents of the effort have criticized their fellow lawmakers for allegedly caving to pressure from Washington.
'Frankly, I'm ashamed that our governor and Idaho Legislature leaders are allowing themselves to be influenced by the federal government like that," Sen. James Ruchti told Local News 8. "We are an independent state, and under the 10th Amendment, we should act as such."
However, in a letter obtained by Local News 8, White House advisor Alex Meyer also threw his weight behind another effort to bring back the unpopular legislation, Senate Bill 1441. The letter states that the 287(g) program "dramatically expands U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reach" to keep communities safe.
"The bill establishes full participation in the 287(g) program, empowering state and local law enforcement to enforce some aspects of U.S. federal immigration law," Meyer wrote.
With SB 1441 sent to the “14th Order,” where it could be amended before moving on to a third reading, and SB 1247 dead in the Chamber, the effort to mandate the partnership with ICE may be stalled for the remainder of the session.
