Idaho's Fight to Count the Cost of Illegal Immigration With Rep. Dale Hawkins | 04-10-26

Idaho State Representative Dale Hawkins joins host Sam Bushman on Liberty RoundTable to expose what the state's legislative session revealed, and buried, about illegal immigration. Rep. Hawkins led a coalition of lawmakers who introduced eight bills aimed at auditing hospitals, schools, jails, and refugee resettlement programs to determine the true cost of illegal immigration in Idaho (estimated at $500M–$900M annually). Every one of those accountability bills was killed. He and Sam break down the powerful lobby groups blocking transparency, the debate over whether sheriffs should voluntarily or be compelled to participate in the 287(g) federal partnership program, the dark economic reality of illegal labor in Idaho's ag and dairy industries, and what citizens can do to reclaim their seat at the table. Timestamps: 0:00 : Intro, Liberty Roundtable opening 0:34 : Introducing Rep. Dale Hawkins, Idaho District 2B 2:28 : Idaho's illegal immigration problem, 40–70K people, $500M–$900M cost 3:28 : The 8 bills, auditing hospitals, schools, jails, and refugee resettlement 6:51 : All accountability bills fail, why the ag and dairy lobby fought back 10:03 : Plan for the summer, getting the truth out 10:22 : The 287(g) debate, compel sheriffs or trust the public? 17:54 : E-Verify carve-out for ag and dairy, and the coalition against accountability 18:59 : Sam's Justice and Mercy immigration reform proposal 22:09 : What's next, educating the public, House Bill 700 22:56 : How to follow and contact Rep. Dale Hawkins Call to Action: If you believe Idaho taxpayers deserve to know the true cost of illegal immigration, share this episode and make your voice heard. Contact Rep. Dale Hawkins directly, he answers his phone even off-session. Find him at @DaleHawkinsID on X or through the Idaho State Legislature website. Subscribe to Liberty Roundtable at LibertyRoundTable.com and LibertyNewsRadio.com, and follow on Rumble, X, and YouTube. God save the Republic.