OP ED: Putting Idaho First — On The Need For Remigration and E-Verify

My U.S. Senate Platform For Border Security 

Idaho is about 2,000 miles from the southern border, but anyone who believes border security is only a Texas or Arizona issue hasn’t been paying attention. 

I’m running for the United States Senate as an outsider, a businessman, and an America First conservative because I see the consequences of Washington’s failures showing up in our communities, our schools, and our job sites. Border security is at the top of the list of those failures. It is an economic, cultural, and public safety issue that demands serious leadership with not only common sense solutions, but also creative solutions, which is what I want to offer to Idaho and the U.S. Senate.

For starters, two policies are essential: mandatory E-Verify and a responsible, humane remigration strategy rooted in global restabilization efforts which can only be achieved by an Anti-War candidate such as myself. 

Remigration is more than just deportations. It is also incentivizing migrants to return to their home countries voluntarily. Remigration is justice: For both Americans and for the migrants. 

It goes hand in hand with my Anti-War and Anti-Foreign Entanglement position. The Forever Wars and efforts to play God around the world have displaced millions around the world. These unnecessary humanitarian crises are a major factor causing the migration crises our nation faces. It is our job as conservatives to lead with remigration solutions that are more rooted in justice and compassion for both Americans and migrants than anyone else, and to demonstrate to all of America that there are remigration solutions that do provide true justice for everyone involved. 

For decades, career politicians promised to secure the border, yet each year the crisis worsened. Businesses like mine plan budgets carefully, measure risk, and hold people accountable. One of the biggest problems on the American Right is that we continue to get tricked into believing the establishment will give up its slave-labor force and grant us true mass deportations. Politicians have been dropping press releases, holding hearings, talking tough on TV, and then allowing the problem to grow. Meanwhile, Idaho families deal with rising housing costs, strained services, and unfair competition for wages. When the federal government refuses to enforce immigration law, it sends a message to American workers that they come second in their own country.

When illegal immigration accelerates, it places pressure on housing markets, hospitals, and schools. Small towns that planned responsibly suddenly face rapid population changes without the infrastructure to handle them. Taxpayers are left to cover the difference. That is not compassion. That is negligence.

I believe in an America First immigration policy that respects the law, protects American workers, and treats people with dignity. That starts with securing the border, but it cannot end there. If we want meaningful reform, we must also address what happens inside the country. 

Critics claim mandatory E-Verify would hurt the economy. I disagree. Idaho businesses succeed because of innovation, hard work, and fair competition. We should not depend on illegal labor to remain competitive. Instead, we should invest in workforce development, vocational training, and opportunities for Idaho workers. When we prioritize American labor, we strengthen communities and build long-term prosperity.

Mandatory E-Verify is simple. If you want to work in the United States, employers must confirm you are legally eligible. As a business owner, I followed E-Verify laws, and it angers me to see massive corporations ignoring the rules and hiring illegal labor. Law-abiding businesses are put at a disadvantage and American wages are undercut. Strong enforcement of E-Verify levels the playing field, protects wages, and removes the economic incentive that drives illegal immigration in the first place. Here in Idaho, I support the passing of Senate Bill 1247, which would require all state and local governments and large government contractors to use the E-Verify system and would create 287(g) agreements between local law enforcement and the federal government to enforce E-Verify. But that’s not enough, every business should be following E-Verify laws, just as I did, and I want to make it national policy.

Enforcement of E-Verify alone also is not enough. We must also confront the difficult question of how to address the millions of people who entered the country illegally. That conversation often becomes heated, but we can approach it with both firmness and humanity. I support remigration, and remigration means justice for all involved, not cruelty. Remigration is not about punishment. It is about restoring the rule of law.  It means encouraging and requiring individuals who entered illegally to return to their home countries through orderly, lawful processes.

We also need to ensure that our Border Patrol is maximizing its resources to the areas of concern that matter most. As a proud Republican who believes in strong borders, individual liberty, and respect for tribal sovereignty, I wholeheartedly endorse the Tribal Border Crossing Parity Act. This is bipartisan bill, introduced by Reps. Russ Fulcher (R-ID) and Derek Kilmer (D-WA) in March 2024, to eliminate blood quantum requirements for Tribal members crossing our border. 

This bill actually strengthens our Northern border by enabling Border Patrol to quickly process legitimate tribal crossings and devote far more resources to detecting and preventing illegal crossings by non-tribal individuals attempting to exploit the system. Not only that, but the passage of this bill would mark the beginning of a partnership between our federal government and Tribal governments along the northern border to strengthen our border. 

On the surface, this bill looks like a small reallocation of resources for our border security, but the long-term impact of strengthening the relationships between Tribal governments along our border, and the federal government, could be astronomical. As Senator, I will be looking for every possible way to maximize our border security. 

Washington insiders often dismiss the concerns discussed in this article, but they do not live with the results. They do not run small businesses trying to compete fairly. They do not see the pressure on rural hospitals. They do not hear from parents worried about overcrowded classrooms. As an outsider candidate, I am running precisely because these voices are ignored.

Idaho deserves a senator who understands business realities and respects the rule of law. We need leadership that puts American workers first, secures the border, and restores accountability. Mandatory E-Verify and humane remigration are not radical ideas. They are practical solutions grounded in fairness, compassion, and common sense, and there are creative ways to make a reality. I truly believe a nation that cannot enforce its immigration system loses control of its future, and I will fight to secure a future for Idaho’s children and grandchildren. 

Denny LaVé is a candidate for U.S. Senate here in Idaho. To learn more about Denny and his platform, visit DennyForSenate.com