Immigrant Rights

Immigrants are an integral part of Idaho’s identity, and they deserve the opportunity to live and thrive in Idaho with dignity, too. Not only are immigrants the backbone of Idaho’s booming agricultural industry, but they are our neighbors, co-workers, and friends.

Facts about immigrants in Idaho:

• About 5.7% of Idaho’s population are immigrants

• One in 12 Idaho workers is an immigrant

• As of 2021, there were 35,000 undocumented immigrants in Idaho—making up about 1.7% of Idaho’s population

• Most undocumented immigrants in Idaho work in agriculture, construction, and service industries

• Undocumented immigrants in Idaho pay income, sales, and other taxes, but are ineligible for most public programs that are funded by tax dollars, including housing and food assistance programs, Medicaid and subsidized health insurance

• Undocumented immigrants in Idaho pay about $72 million per year in state and local taxes, and more than $59 billion in federal taxes

• The top countries of origin for immigrants in Idaho are Mexico, Canada, Philippines, China, and Germany

Idaho’s elected officials have launched an unprecedented campaign to dehumanize and terrorize immigrants of various legal statuses. During President Trump’s second term, these attacks have escalated to a new level that threatens the constitutional rights of all immigrants.

We are fighting back against these pervasive assaults on our immigrant community in the courts, at the statehouse, and in the community:

• Legal Fights: In 2025, we launched two lawsuits against the State of Idaho, IORC v. Labrador to fight the creation of a new state crime to exist in Idaho without work authorization, and Davids v. Adams to fight an attack on immigrant access to life-saving federally funded medication. These unconstitutional laws both seek to supersede federal authority on immigration. We secured preliminary injunctions and class action status in both cases, which are still making their way through the courts.

• Statehouse Advocacy: We work in the statehouse to fight anti-immigrant and unconstitutional legislation by educating lawmakers, submitting public testimony, and co-organizing community actions, to eliminate or minimize the harm of legislation that is passed.

• Community Organizing: Through extensive community organizing, including Know Your Rights trainings, rallies, and community actions, we are rallying Idahoans to push back against harmful anti-immigrant efforts.

• Public Education and Storytelling: We engage with impacted communities to combat anti-immigrant rhetoric, misinformation, and disinformation that persists across this state. We do this through substantial public education and storytelling campaigns across a variety of mediums.

We will never stop fighting for an Idaho where all people have equal access to their constitutional freedoms, regardless of immigration status.

In 2023, we launched our SOMOS Idaho program to empower Idaho's Latine and immigrant communities through Know Your Rights information, leadership training and development, and storytelling support that challenges the anti-immigrant narrative in Idaho.

Now more than ever, we need people joining the fight for our immigrant community. Here are some actions you can take to support immigrant rights in Idaho:

• Join our SOMOS program. If you are an immigrant or a Latine descendant of immigrants in Idaho looking to develop leadership skills to fight the anti-immigrant movement, contact us to get involved with our SOMOS Idaho program.

• Become a volunteer. We are always looking for volunteers to help us with rallies, campaigns, Know Your Rights trainings, and more to mobilize the community in defense of immigrant rights.

• Review our immigrant ally toolkit. Below, you’ll find a toolkit with resources for people to become more informed on immigration issues and learn how to be an effective ally.