US Edition
Knudsen Demands Gallatin County Reverse Decision on ICE Access to Records
Knudsen says the county must treat ICE as a criminal justice agency, while Cromwell says each request is reviewed individually under Montana privacy law.
- On Thursday, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen issued a cease-and-desist letter to Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell, demanding she rescind a policy refusing to recognize U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a criminal justice agency.
- The dispute stems from an October 2025 email from Cromwell's executive assistant to local law enforcement stating the office did not legally recognize ICE as an entity entitled to receive Confidential Criminal Justice Information .
- Cromwell pushed back, stating there is "no blanket policy" and that her office evaluates each request individually to uphold "individuals' constitutional right to privacy" as required by Montana law.
- The Gallatin County Commission directed staff to work with ICE like any other federal partner, while Knudsen set a Monday, April 6 deadline for Cromwell to comply or face further state action.
- This action marks the second cease-and-desist letter Knudsen issued to a local municipality in recent months regarding federal immigration cooperation, following a similar move against the city of Helena last month.
17 Articles
17 Articles
ABC FOX Montana
Daily MontananMontana AG demands Gallatin County attorney rescind ‘policy’ that doesn’t recognize ICE
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen on Thursday demanded the Gallatin County Attorney rescind what Knudsen says is an illegal “policy” refusing to recognize U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a criminal justice agency and share confidential information. But County Attorney…
State top cop moves to crush alleged DHS records restriction as county denies ICE-out
Montana AG Austin Knudsen tells Gallatin County its policy deeming ICE not a legitimate criminal justice agency is "legally incorrect," giving the county until Monday to comply.
Gallatin County ICE "policy" faces deadline from DOJ; Not policy states county attorney
Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell advised against entering into an agreement with ICE to detain undocumented immigrants at the county jail, citing constitutional, legal, operational, and financial risks, while Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has issued a cease-and-desist letter demanding…
Montana Standard
Knudsen demands Gallatin County reverse decision on ICE access to records
Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell on Thursday described the decision to deny federal immigration authorities access to confidential records was a one-off, not a standing policy.
Montana Free Press
explorebigsky.comMontana attorney general accuses Gallatin County of not sharing information with ICE
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has accused the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office of improperly withholding confidential criminal justice information from federal immigration authorities and demanded that the local prosecutor’s office reverse its position. Knudsen made the assertions in a Thursday press release announcing a cease-and-desist letter sent to Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell. The letter is the second such cease-and-d…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 79% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
