BOISE, Idaho — Idaho Governor Brad Little authorized $300,000 in state emergency funds to give to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Wednesday.
The governor issued a media release saying the money would be used to fund up to 100 transport operations to remove hundreds of “dangerous illegal alien criminals” from Idaho jails.
Gov. Little sent a letter to Idaho State Patrol (ISP) Colonel Bill Gardiner in May, asking how much it would cost to transport the prisoners out of the state.
“An untold number of illegal immigrants poured into our country across an unchecked border for years under the Biden Administration, but with President Trump back in the White House we are seeing a solution to this public safety emergency as more and more dangerous criminals here illegally are being taken off our streets… I want to further strengthen our state’s partnership with President Trump to help address the national emergency posed by years of reckless border policies under the previous administration,” said Gov. Little.
In response, Colonel Gardiner wrote that it would cost about $300,000.
ICE can delegate state and local law enforcement officers in the state of Idaho the authority to carry out specific immigration officer duties, including removing those who are in the state illegally that have been convicted of crimes and have finished their jail sentences.
The Governor’s Emergency Fund has been used in the past to fund ISP missions to border states, to help fund the investigation and capture of Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students, and to fight fentanyl.
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