Via the LMT:
The House State Affairs Committee introduced legislation Monday that creates financial penalties for Idaho cities and counties that refuse to enforce federal immigration laws.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Greg Chaney, R-Caldwell, is directed at “sanctuary cities” that seek to protect undocumented immigrants by discouraging or prohibiting local agencies from checking, without probable cause, whether someone is in the country legally.
Idaho doesn’t currently have any sanctuary cities, although some have discussed the idea. In order to forestall such efforts, Chaney’s bill would withhold state sales tax dollars from cities or counties that refuse to go along with federal immigration laws.
“I just want to make sure we’re not playing politics with the safety and security of Idahoans,” Chaney said.
While police couldn’t stop a car or search a business or residence due solely to an immigration violation, the legislation requires anyone arrested for other reasons to prove they’re in the country legally. If they fail to do so within 48 hours, that information would be noted in their court record.
Chaney introduced the measure just days after President Donald Trump ordered the construction of a wall along the United States’ border with Mexico and temporarily suspended the admission of all refugees.
“Opposition is healthy. Opposition is American. But our security should not be the price of political protest,” Chaney told the Associated Press. “There’s a way to oppose the administration’s initiatives and not sacrifice security.”
Rep. Paulette Jordan, D-Plummer, was the only member of the State Affairs Committee to oppose introduction of the bill.
Via LMT