Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Sparks Controversy Within Idaho GOP
SOUTHEAST IDAHO — Tensions are rising in the Idaho Republican Party after a well-known state lawmaker says she was politically targeted by a fellow Republican who reported her farm to federal immigration authorities.
State Representative Stephanie Mickelsen, a seventh-generation Idaho farmer and lifelong conservative, is speaking out after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted a surprise raid on her family’s agricultural operation. The raid followed public accusations by Ryan Spoon, vice chair of the Ada County GOP, who claimed Mickelsen’s farm employed undocumented workers.
Political Retaliation or Lawful Enforcement?
On January 21, Spoon posted a message on X (formerly Twitter), asking ICE to investigate Mickelsen Farms.
“Can ICE take a look at the businesses run by Idaho Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen?” Spoon posted. “She’s openly talked about how many undocumented workers she hires.”
The post quickly went viral, racking up thousands of shares. Spoon later said he followed up by reporting Mickelsen’s farm to the ICE tip line.
Three days later, federal immigration agents arrived unannounced at Mickelsen Farms, a major potato operation that supplies both commercial and seed varieties across the region. By January 27, just one week into President Donald Trump’s second term, one employee had been arrested.
Idaho’s Agriculture Industry Feels the Impact
In an op-ed published by The Idaho Statesman, Mickelsen slammed what she called politically motivated retaliation.
“Imagine building a multi-generational farm, serving your state, and then having your life’s work attacked by someone who just moved to Idaho from San Francisco,” she wrote. “We used to respect one another and seek real solutions. Now, some Republicans are too eager to cancel their own.”
Her comments reflect growing concern about how immigration enforcement policies are impacting agriculture—especially in states like Idaho, where immigrant labor plays a crucial role.
A University of Idaho study estimates that 35,000 undocumented workers support essential industries such as farming, hospitality, and construction, contributing tens of millions to the state economy.
Dairies, Farms, and America’s Food Supply at Risk
According to the Idaho Dairymen’s Association, an astounding 90% of the state’s dairy workforce is foreign-born. Removing them, industry leaders warn, would create a supply chain crisis.
“If you remove the unauthorized portion of the agriculture workforce, at that point, we don’t have the ability to produce enough food to feed ourselves,” said Rick Naerebout, CEO of the association.
The American Business Immigration Coalition estimates that Trump’s deportation policy—if fully executed—could reduce U.S. agricultural output by $30 to $60 billion.
President Trump’s America First Immigration Plan Moves Forward
While the debate over labor and immigration continues, President Trump remains firm in his pledge to secure the southern border and protect American jobs. His administration has already announced plans to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history.
The White House has stated clearly: anyone in the country illegally is subject to removal under federal law.
Many conservatives support the policy as a matter of law and order, but others are calling for reform that protects vital industries like agriculture while still honoring border security.
A Divided GOP in the Heartland?
Mickelsen’s case highlights an emerging divide inside the Republican Party. Should ICE tip lines be used as political weapons? Or should Republicans stand united in both upholding the law and supporting family-owned businesses that form the backbone of rural America?
For now, Mickelsen is standing firm.
“I’m not going to be bullied out of representing Idaho’s farmers, ranchers, and working families,” she said. “I believe in conservative values—faith, family, and freedom—and I’ll keep fighting for the people who live them every day.”