Boise, Idaho — A longtime member of the Idaho Human Rights Commission was removed from her position this week after Governor Brad Little withdrew her reappointment following social media posts critical of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Estella Zamora, who served on the commission for more than three decades, said her termination came without direct explanation from the governor’s office. The move followed online criticism from conservative activists and bloggers over Facebook posts in which Zamora shared commentary and images opposing recent ICE actions, including protests tied to federal enforcement operations in Minneapolis.
Zamora said she informed the governor’s office once she became aware of the backlash but was never told that her reappointment was in jeopardy. In a phone interview, she said her posts aligned with her long-held view that her role on the commission was to defend civil liberties and educate the public about human rights protections.
Her removal occurred amid broader directives from the governor’s office urging state agency and commission leaders to coordinate with staff before participating in political activity. An internal email sent earlier this year instructed executive branch officials to consult a liaison before engaging in political events, emphasizing their role as representatives of the governor.
Zamora said she was unaware of the memo and argued that speaking out against what she viewed as rights violations was consistent with her responsibilities. Her reappointment, initially issued in December, stalled after a January Senate hearing and was never brought to a confirmation vote.
State Senate leaders later publicly opposed her nomination, citing concerns about impartial enforcement of the law. Little’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
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