House approves amended immigration cooperation and enforcement bill on party-line votes

The Idaho House approved an amended bill described as the Immigration Cooperation and Enforcement Act that increases state and local cooperation with a federal 287(g)-style program and adds new transport and immunity provisions for law enforcement.

The sponsor, identified in the transcript as the representative from District 12, told colleagues the amendments include a provision to “change this to be titled the immigration, cooperation, and enforcement act” and incorporate the “2 87 gs program.” The sponsor said, “This is us doubling down on that.”

The bill’s text as discussed includes provisions on trafficking and sentencing, authority for local law enforcement to transport noncitizens to federal custody, and an immunity clause for officers. The sponsor also said members had asked for a “trigger provision to tie this to Texas,” and described additions related to trafficking and authority to transport people to federal facilities.

During the electronic roll call, the clerk announced individual votes for some members; the transcript records Wheeler voting aye and Gannon voting nay. The clerk later reported the final tally as "Sixty 1 ayes. 9 nays. The majority having voted in favor of House Bill 83 as amended." The House approved the title and the bill will be transferred to the Senate.

Sponsors and supporters framed the measure as a legislative follow-up to a governor’s executive recommendation on memoranda of understanding with federal immigration programs. Opponents who spoke during the record raised concerns about scope and the transport and immunity language; the transcript does not include a named sustained motion to amend those provisions on the floor.

The House journal shows the bill passed the House and will be returned to the Senate for further action.