Illegal immigration foe will run for Congress

BOISE – A county official known for hot-button political moves targeting illegal immigrants announced a run for Congress Friday.

Canyon County Commissioner Robert Vasquez, himself the grandson of Mexican immigrants, said he would base his campaign largely on battling illegal immigration.

“I’m not a hyphenated American,” he said. “I speak Spanish, I eat enchiladas, I appreciate my culture, but I love my country.”

Vasquez has been a controversial figure since he was elected to the commissioner’s office in 2002. He spearheaded the commission’s failed request to have Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne declare Canyon County a disaster area in anticipation of an “imminent invasion” of illegal immigrants.

Last year Vasquez tried to bill the Mexican government $2 million for reimbursement of jail and medical treatment costs he claimed the county provided to Mexican citizens. That effort also failed.

Most recently, Vasquez convinced the county to hire an attorney to look into the possibility of suing local businesses under federal racketeering laws for allegedly hiring illegal immigrants.

Terry Blom, the director of development and community relations for the Idaho Migrant Council, said the council opposed Vasquez’s decision to run.

“Our greatest concern is that by taking what appears to be extreme positions he does more to stop constructive dialogue than start it,” Blom said. “To try and take all of the immigration and economic issues that the county and the state and all of us are facing and put them on the shoulders of one ethnic or racial population is more destructive than helpful.”