Montana's Republican attorney general announced an investigation of Helena for potential violations of the state’s sanctuary city ban. Following the passage of a resolution by city officials, which discourages cooperation with federal immigration authorities, the investigation has taken center stage amid national tensions regarding immigration enforcement.
Attorney General Austin Knudsen stated that if Helena continues its current practices, it could face fines of up to $10,000 for every five days of non-compliance with a 2021 state law compelling local authorities to cooperate with federal immigration agents.
The controversial resolution, adopted last month, includes provisions that protect sensitive information about individuals, such as immigration status and national origin, from being disclosed to outside agencies. In response to Knudsen's statements, Helena officials have asserted that their resolution complies with existing legal standards.
The City believes the resolution is consistent with those legal requirements, the city affirmed in a statement. The City remains committed to upholding all applicable federal and state laws. This situation highlights ongoing discussions and diverging views regarding state and local governance on immigration policy, with nearly half of states instituting bans on sanctuary cities.
Governor Greg Gianforte, present during the announcement, emphasized the dangers faced by federal agents in enforcing immigration law, invoking recent tragedies linked to immigration enforcement clashes. He condemned Helena's defiance of state law while acknowledging the complexity of the issue.
