Immigration

This bill creates two main requirements for Idaho: it mandates annual audits of refugee resettlement services by state-registered organizations, requiring detailed reports on refugee demographics, housing, and health statistics, while also prohibiting these organizations from assisting illegal aliens. Additionally, it requires all law enforcement agencies to verify and record the immigration status and nationality of every arrested individual, with biannual reports filed to the state controller containing crime statistics and transfer information to federal authorities. The bill applies to entities providing refugee services and all state and local law enforcement agencies, with enforcement mechanisms including potential withholding of state funding for noncompliance.

This Idaho bill removes the requirement for verifying immigration status when applying for crime victims compensation. It amends state law (Section 67-7903) to explicitly exempt this program from verification rules, directly affecting crime victims seeking state-funded financial assistance. Under the change, applicants no longer need to prove "lawful presence" to access compensation under Title 72, Chapter 10. This policy change applies specifically to victims of crime who qualify for state compensation programs.