Exactly two months after Helena officials approved a resolution restricting local police from collaborating with federal immigration enforcement, city commissioners voted Thursday to rescind the measure in response to legal threats from Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen.
After more than five hours of public comment and deliberation — during which nearly a hundred people passionately testified about issues of local governance, budgetary concerns, and the principles of democracy — the commission scrapped the January resolution in a 4-1 vote.
Following the decision, Mayor Emily Dean called for a recess as members of the public reacted angrily, yelling “shame” and hurling profanities at the city officials. Upon reconvening, the commission directed city attorneys to start drafting a new resolution and to involve the attorney general’s office for discussions on its content. This motion also passed 4-1, with Commissioner Melinda Reed dissenting.
After the vote, Attorney General Knudsen and Governor Greg Gianforte both commended the commission's decision. Gianforte stated, “We banned sanctuary cities to keep our cities safe. The City of Helena made the right decision to rescind its resolution.”
The tensions during the special meeting remained high, with an overwhelming public turnout of over 200 individuals present. Outside legal counsel for the city suggested that rescission was a prudent path to avoid potential fines and legal expenditures arising from non-compliance with state law.
In February, a cease-and-desist letter issued by Knudsen warned that the city could face legal action unless they complied with the state’s policies regarding sanctuary cities, which prohibits denying cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Public feedback was sharply divided; many individuals opposed to the resolution expressed their displeasure with state leaders' tactics, labeling them as bullying. The concern for local control and the values of the community were recurrent themes in their testimonies.
Commissioner Reed, who opposed the rescission, questioned the financial rationale behind surrendering local authority, suggesting that the costs associated with upholding community standards could not be quantified.
The commission's revocation of the resolution has brought to the forefront issues of local governance, state authority, and the future relationship between Helena and Montana's state leaders.
As a next step, the commission aims to consult with the attorney general’s office to ensure any revised policy aligns with state law, highlighting the ongoing complexity of immigration policy at the municipal level.
