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Helena city commission scraps immigration resolution, citing legal risk
The commission rescinded the January immigration resolution after threats of $10,000 fines every five days and potential loss of $14 million in state aid, aiming to reduce legal and fiscal risks.
- On Thursday, the Helena City Commission voted 4-1 to rescind its January immigration resolution, which had limited local police cooperation with federal immigration agents, following legal threats from the state.
- Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen alleged the resolution violated a 2021 state law banning "sanctuary cities," threatening $10,000 fines every five days and potential loss of $14 million in annual state funding.
- More than 200 attendees packed the Helena Civic Center Thursday, where residents debated fiercely; many criticized state tactics as "political theater" and "bullying," while others warned of financial peril.
- Commissioners directed city attorneys to draft amended language for a potential new resolution and present it to Attorney General Austin Knudsen's office within 30 days to gauge compliance.
- Mayor Emily Dean called the state's intervention "infuriating," expressing alarm over "state overreach" regarding local values and control, though the city remains committed to negotiating a lawful compromise with state officials.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Helena city commission scraps immigration resolution, citing legal risk - The Morning Sun
Exactly two months after Helena officials approved a resolution restricting local police from working with federal immigration enforcement, city commissioners voted Thursday to rescind the measure in response to legal threats from Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen. After more than five hours of public comment and deliberation — during which nearly a hundred people testified fiercely and emotionally about local government control, budget ri…
Associated Press News
Helena city commission scraps immigration resolution, citing legal risk
Exactly two months after Helena officials approved a resolution restricting local police from working with federal immigration enforcement, city commissioners voted Thursday to rescind the measure in response to legal threats from Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen.
Helena Independent Record
Helena Commission rescinds immigration resolution to ‘pause’ AG threat, write new draft
The Helena City Commission voted 4-1 to rescind an immigration resolution to hold off a threatened lawsuit from the attorney general, agreeing to draft a new version within 30 days.
Daily Montanan
Missoula CurrentHelena City Commission votes to rescind immigration resolution
The Helena City Commission meets on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at the Civic Center in Helena, MT. (Jordan Hansen / Daily Montanan)On the advice of legal counsel and possibly in the face of steep financial losses, the Helena City Commission rescinded an immigration resolution on Thursday night in a special meeting at the city’s Civic Center. The resolution reiterated the city’s support for immigrant communities and was essentially a public reminde…
Under pressure, Helena City Commission votes to rescind immigration resolution
On the advice of legal counsel and possibly in the face of steep financial losses, the Helena City Commission rescinded an immigration resolution on Thursday night in a special meeting at the city’s Civic Center. The resolution reiterated the city’s…
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