Governor Brad Little and the entire Idaho congressional delegation told President Joe Biden in a letter Friday that Idaho expects the federal government to uphold the most stringent vetting standards in the resettlement of Afghan refugees to Idaho.
Idaho was informed the cities of Boise and Twin Falls are two of 139 U.S. cities selected to resettle refugees seeking asylum from Afghanistan.
The action is being done through a federal mandate by the Biden Administration and without consultation from the state.
The letter to President Biden was signed by Governor Little, U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, and Congressmen Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher.
While Idaho was not consulted in the federal decision to resettle Afghan refugees in the state, Governor Little took additional steps within his control to further ensure the safety, security, and peace of mind of Idahoans by directing the Idaho State Police to work in tandem with local refugee coordinators to develop additional state vetting measures.
Idaho has not been informed of the number of refugees to be resettled in Idaho or the timeline of the refugees’ arrival.
Historically, 49 of 50 states resettle refugees, and Idaho has participated since 1975. Refugee resettlement is a legal immigration process wherein individuals are vetted to ensure they pose no threat to Americans’ safety. Refugees are the most thoroughly screened people who travel into the United States.
Governor Little added that the most dangerous immigration crisis facing the U.S. is the open border with Mexico, where hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants have entered the country unchecked. (Office of Idaho Governor Brad Little)
