Four years of the Biden Administration’s lethargic approach to the illegal immigration crisis threatens the very sovereignty of our nation. The United States Border Patrol encountered 2.9 million illegals crossing our borders in the 2024 federal fiscal year. That is just shy of one million more people than the entire population of Idaho. Some scholars estimate that there are about 62,000 of these illegals living in the Gem State, but it is possible this number is much higher.
Illegal immigrants living within our borders are costly to our infrastructure and the taxpayers. Illegals have a net negative fiscal impact of $4,800 per illegal living in our state, even after accounting for any perceived tax benefits from their residency. This amounts to $405 million to cover the cost of illegals and their families.
The burden of sustaining illegal immigrants falls on our state and local governments, supported by Idaho taxpayers. Idahoans pay most of the $11,000 cost per student to provide free K-12 education to the children of illegal immigrants, straining resources in school districts.
Illegals also make extensive use of welfare programs. We estimate that 59% of households headed by illegal immigrants use one or more major welfare programs, compared to just 39% of households headed by U.S. citizens.
Idahoans have had enough of paying for our state to be the world’s welfare program. The following solutions will allow Idaho to pave the way to restore our sovereignty and rule of law.
Though it is already a crime to illegally enter the United States, Idaho should build on this law by making it a crime to enter the Gem State illegally. This will allow Idaho to police the immigration crisis within its borders.
Idaho should adopt policies that prevent illegals from accessing public benefits. Our state accepts many exemptions for verifying lawful presence to receive public benefits. It is time to end this practice to discontinue handouts for illegals.
