Owyhee County Sheriff Larry Kendrick (@KendrickSheriff) GETS IT…

He’s stepping up, enrolling in ICE’s 287(g) program to enforce immigration law and protect Idaho. Meanwhile, some folks in the Idaho legislature are undermining the people’s will.

For example...

Representative @DaleHawkinsID and drafted a bill to mandate 287(g) for every county in Idaho. We had President Trump’s clear directive to deport illegals and a (weak) executive order from Governor Little. Yet, the bill gained no ground in the House.

Why?

Because some establishment Republicans and their allies are beholden to corporate interests and open-border advocates who profit from illegal labor. It’s not just 287(g).

My bill to mandate E-Verify (with Rep. @redmanforidaho) that prevents illegals from taking jobs (H252) got ZERO HEARING in the House. A bill sponsored by myself and Rep. Hawkins criminalizing the harboring of illegals, and other measures to secure Idaho (H335) was killed in a committee dominated by REPUBLICANS.

The reason is clear…

Some don't even HIDE IT (and some have their farms raided by ICE, and employ dangerous violent criminals). They’re enabling lawlessness while illegals overrun our state while pretending to “do something” about it with watered down bills.

Like House Bill 83, a half-hearted attempt at immigration enforcement, is a prime example of the Idaho Legislature’s failure to fully commit to securing our state. While it passed the House 61-9 and the Senate 29-6 in 2025, this bill is a watered-down compromise that barely scratches the surface of what’s needed.

It was a "feel good bill" that didn't actually... do anything (see my debate on this in the video posted here:

It allows law enforcement to check immigration status only when someone is already detained or investigated for another crime, slapping a misdemeanor for “illegal entry” on first offense and a felony for a second, with deportation as a consequence.

This is a toothless gesture, deliberately narrow to avoid stepping on the toes of Big Ag and the open-border crowd.

How do I know?

Because the Idaho Dairymen and others SUPPORTED the bill!!

The bill’s sponsors claim it supports President Trump’s deportation agenda, but it fails to empower police to proactively root out illegals and leaves gaping loopholes for employers who exploit cheap labor. Worse, the courts have already kneecapped it. The ACLU of Idaho, predictably, filed a lawsuit the moment Governor Brad Little signed it into law on March 27, 2025, whining about “racial profiling” and “unconstitutionality.”

U.S. District Judge Amanda Brailsford issued a temporary restraining order that same day, blocking the law’s enforcement, and extended the block on April 14, 2025, while she considers a preliminary injunction. House Bill 83’s weakness made it an easy target; a bolder law with teeth might have stood a chance.

The legislature’s willingness to be RUN BY BIG AG LOBBY GROUPS are why we’re stuck in this mess.

Can you believe it?

In a state DOMINATED by Republicans, we still act like Dems in this area (and others). Crazy, right? It’s time to clean house in 2026 and replace every single enabler of this chaos with leaders who will fight for Idaho.

Because we're bringing ALL THESE BILLS BACK and I'm gonna die on this hill every single time.

Borders, language, and culture determine our destiny.