A controversial bill aimed at curtailing welfare benefits for undocumented immigrants in Idaho has passed the state’s House of Representatives. On Monday, lawmakers voted 46-22 in favor of House Bill 135, which seeks to eliminate non-emergency health services and other forms of assistance for undocumented people residing in the state.
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The bill, introduced by Rep. Jordan Redman, a Republican from Coeur d’Alene, targets a wide range of services that were previously available to undocumented individuals. These include prenatal and postnatal care, immunizations, food assistance for children, and even shelter programs. The proposed law would limit services to only emergency care, effectively cutting access to critical resources such as the federally regulated Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, which provides aid to low-income pregnant women, infants, and young children.
Focus on Discouraging Non-Citizen Migration
Rep. Redman, the bill’s sponsor, argued that the legislation is necessary to discourage undocumented immigrants from seeking out social and medical benefits in Idaho. He emphasized that the state government must prioritize the welfare of its legal residents and avoid becoming a “magnet” for noncitizens seeking government aid.
“We are not doing the responsible thing by our people,” Redman stated, stressing that the bill would help demagnetize the state for undocumented immigrants. “All of us were elected by our citizens to represent them.”
Strong Opposition from Advocates for Immigrants and Vulnerable Populations
While the bill has strong backing from those who oppose taxpayer funding for undocumented immigrants, it has been met with fierce criticism from both Democrats and advocacy groups. House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, condemned the bill’s cuts to prenatal and postnatal care, as well as its impact on children.
“This bill has a laser focus on taking away from babies, pregnant women, and hungry children,” Rubel argued. “Everybody else already doesn’t have health care. I really ask if that’s who we want to be going after here.”
Rubel also pointed out the economic role of undocumented workers in Idaho, particularly in industries like dairy farming, agriculture, and construction, where many noncitizens are employed in low-wage jobs. According to a 2024 study by the University of Idaho’s McClure Center, roughly 35,000 undocumented immigrants live in Idaho, and approximately 86% of them are employed, well above the national average. These workers, Rubel argued, often cannot afford to travel out of state for healthcare, meaning they will likely forgo necessary medical treatment if this bill passes.
Federal Concerns and Legal Implications
The bill’s critics also raised concerns about potential conflicts with federal law. Rep. Megan Egbert, D-Boise, expressed her worries that the proposed changes could violate federal guidelines governing programs like WIC and school lunches, which do not take immigration status into account when determining eligibility.
“The problem with this bill and what it’s striking is that it no longer makes sense, and it’s in direct conflict with federal rule,” Egbert said, underscoring the legal challenges the bill could face if implemented.
Heated Debate Over Compassion and Governance
In the midst of a heated exchange during testimony, Rep. Clint Hostetler, R-Twin Falls, dismissed concerns about the bill’s impact on vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly. He criticized what he called the “emotionalist” rhetoric surrounding the bill’s potential effects.
“Anytime we try to do anything… we’re hit with these emotionalist, terrorist narratives of ‘grandmas are dying and children are starving,’” Hostetler said, generating backlash from opponents of the bill.
House Speaker Mike Moyle, R-Star, intervened, cautioning Hostetler to tone down his remarks after a colleague, Rep. Britt Raybould, R-Rexburg, objected to the rhetoric.
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Broader Immigration and Welfare Debate in Idaho
House Bill 135 is not the only immigration-related bill under consideration in the state legislature. Lawmakers have also introduced House Bill 335, which seeks to criminalize assistance to undocumented immigrants, including providing shelter, legal aid, or financial support. Proponents of this bill argue that offering assistance to noncitizens encourages illegal immigration and strains public resources.
Rep. Jack Nelsen, R-Jerome, reiterated concerns about the public health risks and economic costs associated with undocumented immigrants, particularly regarding disease prevention and healthcare treatment.
As the debate over House Bill 135 continues, the future of undocumented immigrants in Idaho remains uncertain. With both sides digging in their heels, it’s clear that the issue of welfare benefits for noncitizens will continue to be a flashpoint in the state’s ongoing immigration discourse.