Idaho House Minority Leader Mat Erpelding, D-Boise, has issued the following statement in response to the introduction today of immigration legislation targeting “sanctuary cities,” though Idaho doesn’t have any, and ordering local law enforcement officers to check the immigration status of anyone they arrest on a misdemeanor or felony charge; the bill was proposed by Rep. Greg Chaney, R-Caldwell:

"It appears that this bill targets and profiles specific members of our communities and, if passed, will do irreparable harm to our economy. Agriculture is the backbone of many rural Idaho communities and this bill will cause local governments to target Latinos unfairly. We must focus on uniting all of our communities, not dividing them. Idaho is recognized as one of the safest states in the nation and our local law enforcement does a superb job. This bill is a solution in search of a problem and will further marginalize those members who work hard to support their families."