Probation officers in Canyon County, Idaho, have coordinated with federal immigration agents to identify and locate foreign-born individuals under their supervision. Records obtained by InvestigateWest show that the county’s Misdemeanor Probation Department compiled a list of 82 individuals born outside the United States and shared their scheduled check-in times with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The correspondence, consisting of more than 140 emails sent between May and July 2026, details a process where local officers screened internal files for offenders who reported being born in another country. Jeff Breach, the director of the Misdemeanor Probation Department, stated in an email that providing such information is a long-standing practice intended to assist federal authorities in their lawful duties. He noted that ICE typically requests such lists on an annual basis.
Of the 82 individuals on the redacted list provided by the county, 54% were on probation for driving under the influence. Other offenses included drug charges and disturbing the peace. The emails show that in at least two instances, probation officers messaged ICE agents during or just before an appointment to confirm their arrival for a potential apprehension. Only seven people on the list were marked with an active ICE hold, which indicates prior identification by federal authorities for potential deportation.
A person on misdemeanor probation in Canyon County would notice that their private intake information—specifically their place of birth—is being used to facilitate federal immigration enforcement. This includes the sharing of their home addresses, vehicle descriptions, and exact appointment times with ICE agents. While Breach estimated that ICE agents are present at only one or two appointments per month, immigration attorney Nikki Ramirez-Smith stated that she is now preparing legal challenges for clients more frequently because detainees are being transferred out of state rapidly.
The practice sets a precedent for how local agencies interpret Governor Brad Little’s executive order encouraging cooperation with federal immigration officials. While neighboring states like Washington and Oregon have laws prohibiting local police from assisting in federal deportations, Canyon County operates under a practice Breach says dates back to at least 2008. The next steps involve ongoing litigation, as the ACLU of Idaho has already filed a lawsuit against the county sheriff’s office regarding a separate 2025 enforcement action, alleging racial profiling during the detention of U.S. citizens and lawful residents.