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 follows increased national tensions surrounding immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump, who has threatened to cut off federal funding to sanctuary cities that do not comply with immigration law. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen stated that Helena could face fines of up to $10,000 for every five days found in violation of a 2021 state law that mandates local authorities to cooperate with federal agents.
The resolution in Helena specifies that city officials shall not disclose sensitive information, such as a person's immigration status or national origin, to outside agencies. This has led to criticism from the state government, with Knudsen commenting, “This is clearly the City Council of Helena thumbing its nose at the Montana Legislature.”
Helena officials asserted that they had not received official notice of the investigation but were aware of the announcement. They confirmed that the resolution was passed after careful consideration of local, state, and federal law, affirming their view that it is consistent with legal requirements.
According to the Federation for American Immigration Reform, nearly half of the states in the U.S. have implemented similar prohibitions against sanctuary cities. During the press conference, Governor Greg Gianforte supported Knudsen's actions, emphasizing that federal agents face difficult choices in the field due to local defiance of state laws, referencing tragic events involving federal agents and civilians.
