Idaho Immigration Facts
A dashboard with visualizations on undocumented immigrants, refugees, and foreign-born populations. Updated regularly from reliable sources. Empowering Idahoans to demand accountability.
81% of Americans Want More Action to Stop Illegal Immigration — Rasmussen Reports
Illegal Immigrants
62,000 + illegal immigrants live in Idaho.
Illegal immigrants and their families cost Idaho $477 million annually.
10,000 illegals work in Idaho agriculture.
7,500 illegals work in dairy.
ICE arrests surged 797% in 2025 along with a 540% increase in detentions.
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.
$1.08 million spent on the 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.
10,000+ 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.
10% Idaho tech labor shortage while Idaho trains foreign STEM students over local Idaho kids.