BOISE, Idaho — Lawmakers and lobbyists filled a Senate committee room in the basement of the Idaho Statehouse on Monday to hear the latest details about one of the state's worst-kept secrets.
The foundations of Idaho's economy, including hospitality, construction, and agriculture, rely heavily on undocumented workers. The Idaho Dairy Association and the Idaho Department of Agriculture commissioned a study from the University of Idaho's McClure Center for Public Policy Research to improve public understanding of this topic.
“Good policy follows good data,” said Alex Labeau, president of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry (IACI). “What we want to do is present that data in a realistic way and in a respectful way.”
The report concluded that Idaho's undocumented population has remained largely unchanged over the past 20 years. This number has consistently remained around 35,000. About 86% of them are working, the report says, often filling jobs and industries that are not filled by natural-born Americans.
“Idaho has a very stable contingent workforce,” said Rick Neerbout, CEO of the Idaho Dairy Association. “You take them out of the equation, and we don't know where 30,000 workers are going to come to fill those jobs in this state.”
Leaders in industries that rely on undocumented workers are weighing in on recent moves by state legislatures to mandate E-Verify, an electronic program that quickly determines a person's legal status to work in the United States. I am concerned about this.
Neerbout told KTVB in October 2023 that the majority of dairy workers in Idaho are undocumented because the federal government has not renewed the agricultural visa work program since the 1980s. The dairy industry employs year-round jobs, but current visa programs only apply to seasonal work.
“This is a federal policy issue, and states do not have the authority to issue visas,” Neerbaugh said. “It's not a complete policy solution.”
Rep. Jordan Redman (R-Coeur d'Alene) introduced a bill that would require E-Verify in the private sector. But the bill has since sat in a committee drawer with little attention.
“I think the southern border is our country's biggest issue right now,” said Congressman Redman. “I'm working on this at the state level and trying to figure out what can be done. This is what it is right now, but I think it's going to change a little bit.”
Congressman Redman met with industry leaders who oppose E-Verify until the federal government reforms the agricultural visa work program. Northern Idaho lawmakers don't want to pursue policies that have unintended consequences for the state's economy.
“That's why this bill is currently on hold,” said Rep. Redman. “You have to consider that.”
Congressman Redman isn't sure exactly what changes will yield a compromise. Neerbout believes the federal government needs to act first. The McClure report shows that E-Verify mandates could negatively impact farm worker numbers.
- Mississippi (-10.4%)
- Arizona (-9.3%)
- South Carolina (-4.6%)
- Alabama (-3.8%)
- There were no changes in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Utah.
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