Montana

Montana AG letter alleges Helena violates law banning ‘sanctuary cities’

Published

3 weeks ago

March 10, 2026

Montana AG letter alleges Helena violates law banning ‘sanctuary cities’

HELENA — On Monday, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen sent a letter to the City of Helena claiming the municipality is not in compliance with the state’s law banning “sanctuary cities.” The letter comes just under a month after the State of Montana launched an investigation into a city resolution on Helena Police policy and Helena’s involvement in federal immigration enforcement.

In the letter, Knudsen laid out the ways he believes the city’s resolution violated state law. The attorney general gave Helena 15 days to respond or reverse the policy. If the city does not comply, his office will pursue legal action.

“Helena’s resolution appears to contain blatant violations of this law,” wrote Knudsen.

MTN News

On January 26, 2026, the City of Helena adopted a resolution clarifying when and how the Helena Police Department will cooperate with federal immigration officials. The vote was 4 to 1. The Helena commission seats and the mayor are elected in non-partisan races.

In the letter, Knudsen alleges the resolution established “a broad sanctuary city policy” that seeks to protect every illegal immigrant, regardless of whether the individual had committed a serious crime or not. The state further claims the resolution gives illegal immigrants “special privileges” in plea deals and establishes a “free-for-all policy” where a police officer can request the unmasking of Department of Homeland Security and ICE officers.

Knudsen has requested that the City of Helena, in their response, specifically describe in detail how the resolution complies with Montana law, provide emails and correspondence from city staff and the commission regarding the resolution.

Helena City manager Alana Lake told MTN in a statement: “The City of Helena is aware of the issues being raised by the Attorney General’s Office and is reviewing the matter. While we cannot discuss the details of a potential legal issue, the City is committed to transparency and compliance with the law. The City takes these matters seriously and will continue to cooperate with the appropriate authorities while remaining focused on serving our community.”

Passed in 2021, Montana House Bill 200 prohibits a state agency or local government from implementing any policy that prevents employees or departments from communicating with federal agencies regarding immigration or citizenship status for lawful purposes. It also states governments must comply with immigration detainer requests if they are lawfully made.

HB 200 was backed by Republicans and passed with only Republican votes. Gov. Greg Gianforte signed the legislation into law on March 31, 2021.

Passage of the resolution by the Helena City Commission has drawn ire from conservative voices in Montana politics and on the national level.

The resolution said the commission supported the Helena Police Department avoiding “committing its resources to federal action for which it has no authority,” such as entering into an agreement with the federal government to directly enforce immigration laws. Under federal law, immigration enforcement is conducted by federal agencies under the Department of Homeland Security. However, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, state and local governments can voluntarily enter into 287 (g) agreements with the federal government that allow them to enforce immigration laws.

The commission further supported HPD’s policy not to stop, detain, or arrest a person solely on suspected violations of immigration law, including assisting other agencies in an arrest based solely on immigration law.

DEEPER LOOK: Helena has seen a growing debate over ICE and local police involvement

In the resolution, the commission also supported an HPD officer, using their own discretion, requesting the identification and unmasking of a Department of Homeland Security Officer if the HPD officer “feels it will not be interfering with the actions of federal officers exercising their jurisdiction.”

“This adversarial relationship by local law enforcement toward federal officers itself undermines public safety and forces immigration officers to fear for their safety when they are simply carrying out their lawful duties,” wrote Knudsen.

The resolution further supports the City of Helena’s policy not to consider immigration consequences in a plea agreement with a defendant.

The commission also supports the City of Helena not disclosing any sensitive information about any person – including immigration status, sexual orientation, or social security number – except as required by law.

“This is a restriction that directly conflicts with Montana’s prohibition on sanctuary jurisdictions, specifically ‘sending to, receiving from, exchanging with, or maintaining for a federal, state, or local government entity information regarding a person’s citizenship or immigration status for a lawful purpose,’” the attorney general wrote.

If a government is found to be violating Montana’s law banning “sanctuary cities”, the state could fine them $10,000 every five days, prevent them from receiving new grants from the state, and have their projects with the state re-prioritized. A government in violation can avoid penalties by becoming compliant with the law within 14 days of being notified of the violation.

Read the full letter from the Montana Attorney General to the City of Helena:

Source link

Related Topics:Attorney General Austin Knudsen city of helena Featured ice immigration lawsuit sanctuary city State of Montana

Click to comment

Montana

Montana Ag Network: Research finds sheep grazing benefits bees

Published

3 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Press Room

Montana Ag Network: Research finds sheep grazing benefits bees

LAVINA— Sheep grazing has been helping bee populations thrive at a Lavina sheep and cattle ranch.

Entomologist Hayes Goosey, who works as the Montana State University Extension forage specialist, said grazing reveals dirt patches, where bees can dig nests.

Watch how sheep are part of a bigger picture:

Montana Ag Network: Research finds sheep grazing benefits bees

He studied sheep and cattle grazing effects on the environment at Lehfeldt Land and Livestock in Lavina.

“Most bees are solitary, and they nest in the soil, and they need bare patches of ground to identify nest locations. And so periodic grazing then opens up that canopy of that detritus and gives native bees places to nest,” said Goosey.

Abi Saeed/ MSU Extension

Bee nest

“We found greater numbers of bees associated with areas where cattle grazing was present compared to places where a long-term idling or lack of grazing had been the dominant land management for about a decade,” he added.

Grazing also balances animal populations that have been there for years.

“To maintain historically what the range looked like, it requires grazing at varying levels,” added Goosey.

Screen Shot 2026-04-01 at 6.16.21 PM.png — Field on Lehfeldt Land and Livestock property

Fifth-generation rancher Ben Lehfeldt, whose property Goosey studied, said taking care of sheep is a lot of work, but it is worth it.

“Sheep, cattle, agriculture, the whole is essential to the whole wildlife picture. Everything works together,” said Lehfeldt.

This week, Lehfeldt is working with a team of five shearers, two wool handlers and his family to shear 2,000 sheep, producing 20,000 pounds of wool.

Screen Shot 2026-04-01 at 6.17.57 PM.png — Ben Lehfeldt

“It just kind of gives them a fresh start for the year to grow that coat,” said Lehfeldt.

Shearing sheep is also an important step before lambs are born because sheared sheep will be more likely to seek shelter during bad weather, meaning lambs will get the shelter they need too.

“If they had a big coat on, they wouldn’t want to go to a shelter if it’s raining. That lamb needs protection. So now… when they feel that rain, they’ll head and take their lamb for protection,” said Lehfeldt.

Screen Shot 2026-04-01 at 6.24.29 PM.png — Lehfeldt and crew sort wool

Working hard to maintain sheep populations in Montana, such as the work behind sheep shearing, contributes to a bigger picture.

“Not only does it help with the sheep and the grazing, but it also adds to the environment and the wildlife and the insects as a whole,” added Lehfeldt.

Source link

Montana

Montana Morning Headlines: Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Published

15 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Press Room

WESTERN MONTANA — Here’s a look at Western Montana’s top news stories for Wednesday.

Thompson falls residents are paying around 110 dollars a month for water and sewer services on vacant lots that aren’t even connected to utilities, an issue that was brought up at Monday night’s city council committee meeting. Now, community members are circulating recall petitions targeting the mayor and several city council members over the billing practice. (Read the full story)

Two Missoula restaurants, Pangea and the Stave & Hoop Speakeasy, announced temporary closures due to unexpected changes on Tuesday. Management said both will return with new concepts and ownership, calling it a “see you soon” rather than goodbye. (Read the full story)

Travelers’ Rest State park is celebrating 25 years as a state park, where both Salish ancestors and Lewis and Clark once camped near Lolo Creek. The historic site now draws about 80,000 visitors annually from around the world to learn about the area’s rich history. (Read the full story)

Source link

Montana

Montana wildlife officials offer reward after blow darts found in ducks

Published

1 day ago

March 31, 2026

Press Room

Montana wildlife officials offer reward after blow darts found in ducks

BILLINGS— Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is offering a cash reward up to $1,000 for information regarding blow darts found in ducks in the Billings area.

Dani Theis with Montana FWP said Tuesday that the office has received multiple calls reporting the issue over the past year, specifically in Billings areas such as Shiloh Conservation Area and Rose Park.

Watch the report:

Montana wildlife officials offer reward after blow darts found in ducks

Shooting ducks with blow darts is illegal and shooting them in town and off-season is illegal as well.

“Taking migratory birds, ducks included, these mallards, outside of those seasons really puts their populations at risk,” she said.

The blow darts have not immediately killed the ducks, but Theis said it’s likely painful.

Vanessa Willardson/Q2

Dani Theis

“It can’t be good for its quality of life,” she added.

Wildlife officials are also seeking information on a baby fawn deer killed by a blow dart in Roundup on March 23. That incident took place on the 100 block of Fifth Street West.

Theis recommends those with information report it to tipmont.mt.gov.

Source link