BOISE, Idaho — The American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho, along with several plaintiffs, has initiated legal action against a new state law aimed at limiting public benefits for residents without legal immigration status. This law, designated as House Bill 135, is scheduled to go into effect on Tuesday and will prevent undocumented immigrants from receiving various public services, including certain federally funded healthcare programs.
Paul Carlos Southwick, the Legal Director for the ACLU of Idaho, labeled the law as “clearly unconstitutional.” Advocacy fellow Ruby Mendez-Mota emphasized that the legislation targets vulnerable communities, stating, “What this bill does is it puts up new walls between vulnerable people and the basic human services they need to survive.”
The plaintiffs’ lawsuit contends that the law unjustly penalizes immigrants who cannot verify their legal status. “It punishes people for simply trying to care for themselves and their families, and that’s why we are suing,” Mendez-Mota noted.
Among the plaintiffs are Dr. Abby David, representing Full Circle Health, and four Idaho residents who are particularly concerned about the law’s implications for accessing critical life-saving treatments, such as those for HIV and AIDS. They are petitioning for a temporary restraining order to halt the enforcement of provisions that would restrict treatment access for undocumented individuals.
Dr. David stressed the seriousness of this situation, stating, “HIV is a very treatable condition — with medication, people can live normal lives without sickness. But without medication, it is universally fatal.”
Supporters of HB 135, including a number of Republican lawmakers, assert that the measure is designed to protect the integrity of limited public resources. During legislative debates, Sen. Todd Lakey emphasized the responsibility of legislators to utilize public funds judiciously, stating, “We have limited resources and funds, and careful use of those public funds is one of our primary responsibilities.”
Before the enactment of this law, residents of Idaho were able to access certain benefits without needing to prove their immigration status. The introduction of HB 135 mandates that verification will now be a requirement.
A judge has been assigned to the case, and the ACLU of Idaho is actively seeking a preliminary injunction to stop the law from being implemented before it takes effect. Efforts to reach the bill’s primary sponsors, Sen. Phil Hart and Rep. Jordon Redman, for comment have been unsuccessful.
This story will continue to develop as more details emerge regarding the lawsuit and its implications for residents across Idaho.
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