Montana’s Republican attorney general said Wednesday he’s investigating the city of Helena for potential violations of the state’s sanctuary city ban, after city officials passed a resolution discouraging cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
The investigation comes amid heightened tensions nationally over President Donald Trump’s aggressive enforcement of immigration laws, which has sparked protests in many cities. Trump has said he intends to cut off federal funding for states home to 'sanctuary cities' that resist his immigration policies.
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen stated that Helena faces fines of up to $10,000 for every five days it’s found in violation of a 2021 state law that compels local authorities to cooperate with federal immigration agents.
The resolution in Helena dictates that city officials shall not disclose sensitive information to outside agencies, such as a person’s immigration status or national origin.
“This is clearly the City Council of Helena thumbing its nose at the Montana Legislature,” Knudsen highlighted during a press conference announcing the investigation.
Helena officials acknowledged Knudsen’s announcement but stated they had not yet received official notification regarding the investigation. They assert that the resolution was approved following a careful review of relevant local, state, and federal laws. The city believes the resolution aligns with legal requirements and remains committed to upholding federal and state laws.
According to the Federation for American Immigration Reform, almost half of U.S. states have measures against sanctuary cities. Meanwhile, Republican Governor Greg Gianforte supported Knudsen’s stance, stating that federal agents find themselves in challenging situations that could result in tragic outcomes, referencing recent incidents involving federal immigration officers. Gianforte expressed that while these incidents are tragedies, they do not grant local governments permission to overlook state law.
