Monday Idaho House Rep. Greg Chaney (R-Caldwell) introduced a bill opposing the adoption of sanctuary cities. Although Idaho has no sanctuary cities in place, the lawmaker says his proposal would ensure that no state funding would ever be given to cities and counties that refuse to enforce federal immigration laws.
House Minority leader Mat Erpelding (D-Boise) blasted the bill.
"Essentially his bill right now is a solution in search of a problem," says Erpelding. "And it's going to marginalize members of our community who work hard and support their families."
Chaney's proposal arrives during a nationwide debate on immigration, sparked by President Donald Trump's executive action calling to cut federal money to sanctuary cities. The mayors of Los Angeles, New York, Portland and other sanctuary cities claim their legal status is secure. They point out that immigration is the responsibility of federal officers, so states and cities can't be punished for lack of enforcement.
Other states, though, have introduced similar preemptive legislation, including Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Mississippi.
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