Senate State Affairs committee sends multiple draft measures to print, introduces Idaho ICE Act

BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Senate State Affairs Committee on Wednesday voted to send several request‑to‑print (RS) measures to the printer and introduced a proposal described by its sponsor as the "Idaho Immigration, Cooperation and Enforcement Act," or "Idaho ICE Act." The committee approved the minutes from Jan. 22 and Jan. 24 and advanced six RS items for drafting.

The most prominent proposal presented was identified in the meeting as RS 32,110 and described by its sponsor as legislation to "enact the new Idaho Immigration, Cooperation and Enforcement Act, or in other words, the Idaho ICE Act." The sponsor said the bill is focused on identifying, detaining and removing noncitizens in Idaho who are in the country illegally and who are alleged to be dangerous. The sponsor also described three substantive elements: creating (1) a crime of unlawful presence of a dangerous illegal alien in Idaho, (2) a crime of smuggling a dangerous illegal alien in Idaho, and (3) a sentencing enhancement of five years to a prison term for any illegal alien who commits a dangerous crime in the state. The committee voted to send RS 32,110 to print (motion to send to print moved by Sen. Harris; seconded by…