Data Sources
Illegal Immigrants
62,000+ illegal immigrants live in Idaho.
The Fiscal Burden of Illegal Immigration on Idaho, FAR 2023 Report
Illegal immigrants and their families cost Idaho $477 million annually.
The Fiscal Burden of Illegal Immigration on US Taxpayers, FAIR
10,000 illegals work in Idaho agriculture.
7,500 illegals work in dairy.
The Unauthorized Immigrant Workforce and Idaho’s Economy, University of Idaho
ICE arrests surged 797% in 2025 along with a 540% increase in detentions.
ICE arrests and detentions rise steeply in Idaho, Bonner County Daily Bee
Refugees
3rd highest per capita rate in the country for refugee resettlement.
17,000 refugees have been resettled in Idaho since 2000.
$1.5 billion long-term gross burden for refugees resettled in the last 25 years.
What Is the Cost of Refugee Resettlement?, International Catholic Immigration Commission
Applied to Idaho's 468 FY2025 arrivals, this could imply a long-term gross burden exceeding $43 million, not accounting for additional state-level education, housing, or integration costs. Nationally, refugee resettlement costs U.S. taxpayers about $92,000 per refugee in government assistance over their first 20 years, including initial resettlement, welfare, and other supports. $1.5 billion long-term gross burden for refugees resettled in the last 25 years; $43 million long-term gross burden for 2025 refugees alone.
$1.08 million spent on the Idaho Refugee Medical Assistance program in FY2024, with administrative costs adding to the taxpayer burden.
Democratic Republic of the Congo and Afghanistan account for the majority of Idaho refugees in 2025.
Visas
9,719 H-1B visas issued in Idaho (651 issued last year alone) including over 100 visas for accountants and physical therapists. Over 85% are from India & China.
8,000+ H-2A foreign workers in Idaho agriculture annually, relying on programs that critics say create dependency on low-wage labor. 93% from Mexico.
3,500 H-2B workers certified in Idaho as of FY 2025 Q3, mostly in landscaping, construction, and food processing.
Foreign Students
3,438 foreign students (70% Chinese, Indian or Saudi) take Idaho student seats.
80% increase in foreign student enrollment at the University of Idaho, crowding STEM student spots.
70 - 80% of foreign students leave after finishing grad work, taking U.S.-funded skills home.
$230 million long term cost to Idaho as foreign students leave and Idaho loses tax revenue and local workforce.
No studies so we create a model. Long-term cost of: ~$230M (estimated lifetime tax/workforce loss for ~3,438 students, based on $50-100K per student over decades, using national averages for STEM grads’ tax contributions, e.g., ~$75K avg. salary × 30% tax rate × 20 years).
10% Idaho tech labor shortage while Idaho trains foreign STEM students over local Idaho kids.