Extremist Idaho lawmakers are advancing several immigration-related bills that would significantly expand enforcement and data collection across the state.
 

Just in this session:

HB 693 – Criminalizing Aid for Undocumented Immigrants
Nonprofits, churches, or anyone providing transportation or assistance could be charged!

Update 03/08/2026:

HB 693 → replaced by HB 764

Criminalizing Aid for Undocumented Immigrants

• HB 693 was introduced but later replaced by HB 764.

• HB 764 would make it a crime to “conceal, harbor, or assist” undocumented immigrants, including transportation, shelter, financial help, or legal aid.

• Sponsor: Rep. Dale Hawkins (R-Fernwood).

Current status:

• The House committee voted to hold the bill (9-7), meaning it is effectively stalled for now.
  Those voting in FAVOR of this draconian measure need a nudge out of office this primary election on May 19th:
   

• - Bruce Skaug (Nampa)

• - Barb Ehardt (Idaho Falls)

• - Joe Alfieri (Coeur d'Alene)

• - Heather Scott (Blanchard)

• - Dale Hawkins (Fernwood)

• - Ted Hill (Eagle, via proxy)

• - Clint Hostetler (Twin Falls
   

HB 659 – Statewide 287(g) Agreement
Requires all Idaho police jurisdictions to apply for participation in the federal 287(g) program, with ICE
 

Update: HB 659

Statewide 287(g) Agreement with ICE

• Requires Idaho police departments to apply for participation in the federal 287(g) program, allowing local officers to enforce immigration law.

Status:

• Passed the Idaho House.

Multiple Bills – Mandated E-Verify
Four proposals would require employers to use E-Verify.Update (03/08/2026):

Multiple proposals targeting employers.

Key ones:

• SB 1247 — Idaho E-Verify Act

  • Requires employers to verify workers’ legal status.

  • Passed the Senate.

• HB 700

  • Makes knowingly employing undocumented workers a misdemeanor.

  • Passed the House.

• HB 704

  • The most aggressive version with expanded penalties.

  • Passed the House.

• HB 584

  • Another E-Verify version.

  • Still only introduced.

Basically: Idaho legislators threw several versions of the same idea into the hopper to see which one survives.

HB 592 – Patient Immigration Status Data Collection
Hospitals must ask patients about immigration status.

HB 592 Update:

Hospitals Collect Immigration Status

• Would require hospitals receiving Medicaid funds to collect and report patient immigration status to the state.

Status:

• Introduced but not yet passed a chamber.
   

HB 656 – Student Immigration Status Data Collection
Public schools would collect and report students’ immigration status.

Update:

• Would require Idaho public schools to collect immigration status data from students and report it to the state.

Status:

• Introduced.

• Has not advanced out of early legislative stages.

Are you angry yet? You CAN fightback peacefully at the polls!

Why YOU should register to vote as a Republican:

In Idaho, many times the election is not decided in the November election, but in the May REPUBLICAN Primary.
While Democrats have a valuable minority voice in the state, they only occupy 15 out of 105 seats. Since 2012, the first round of voting (Primary Election) has been closed to only those affiliated with the Republican Party.  This has allowed extremist forces inside the party control candidates and agendas. Instead of common-sense candidates, anti-immigrant extremists have been elected and have enacted bad laws. The proposed laws from this session are a clear example.

By voting in the May 19th Primary for good incumbent (current) candidates and reasonable challengers, we can make a mark on Idaho politics and defend policy that benefits Latinos. In some cases, extremists have won with as little as 200 votes or less.