The Idaho State Police (ISP) will begin assisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in transporting inmates convicted of crimes and living in the U.S. illegally to immigration detention centers, Gov. Brad Little announced Thursday.
Under a new agreement with ICE through the federal 287(g) program, ISP will be authorized to spend up to $300,000 to transport up to 100 individuals over the next year. The initiative aims to prevent these inmates from being released back into Idaho communities after serving their sentences.
“These are people who pose the greatest danger to Idaho families,” Little said in a statement.
The program will take effect pending approval from the State Board of Examiners. Currently, the only certified immigration detention facility in Idaho is the Jefferson County Jail in Rigby, with space for 134 detainees.
This move builds on Little’s February executive order directing Idaho law enforcement to pursue federal partnerships under the 287(g) program, which allows ICE to delegate immigration enforcement authority to local agencies. It also follows the passage of House Bill 83, which created new state-level immigration crimes. Portions of that law are currently blocked by a federal court pending review.
While the governor’s office said the effort enhances public safety, opponents, including the ACLU of Idaho, argue it could encourage racial profiling and harm industries that rely on immigrant labor. The ACLU is suing to block HB 83, calling it discriminatory.
The Biden administration previously scaled back 287(g) agreements, but President Trump has pledged to expand mass deportations and is pushing for increased funding: $45 billion for detention centers, $14.4 billion for deportation operations, and 10,000 new immigration enforcement hires by 2029.
ICE officials praised Idaho’s participation, saying the partnership will allow them to avoid public arrests and reduce risk. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called the 287(g) program “a critical part of our enforcement strategy.”
