Idaho Bills

Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding an audit of the resettlement of refugees and to establish provisions regarding the immigration status and nationality of arrested individuals.

RS33832 / S1442 This legislation, titled the Idaho Refugee and Illegal Alien Accountability Act, establishes enhanced transparency, accountability, and reporting requirements related to refugee resettlement and immigration status within the State of Idaho. First, the bill requires any Idaho-based entity providing refugee resettlement services under federal programs to submit an annual audit to the Idaho Legislature. The audit must include detailed information regarding the number of refugees served, their nationality, gender, language abilities, housing impacts, geographic placement, and certain public health indicators. This provision is intended to provide policymakers with accurate, comprehensive data to better understand the scope and impact of refugee resettlement activities within Idaho. Second, the legislation clarifies that entities providing resettlement services may not engage in activities that harbor, transport, or encourage individuals who are unlawfully present in the United States to remain in violation of federal law. It also requires such entities to maintain identifying records of individuals served who are unlawfully present, enabling coordination with appropriate federal immigration databases. Third, the bill requires all state and local law enforcement agencies, during the administration of criminal justice, to verify and record the immigration status and nationality of individuals who are arrested. Beginning October 1, 2026, agencies must publish biannual reports summarizing this information, including statistics related to crimes involving individuals unlawfully present in the United States.