Capital City REFUSES Feds — State Strikes Back

Montana’s capital city faces a state investigation for defying federal immigration enforcement—the first test of the state’s sanctuary city ban under President Trump’s renewed deportation priorities.

Story Snapshot

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen launched an investigation into Helena after the city passed a resolution blocking local police from assisting ICE operations
Helena could face fines up to $10,000 every five days and lose state funding if found in violation of the 2021 sanctuary city ban
Governor Greg Gianforte and AG Knudsen warn other Montana localities against similar defiance amid Trump administration’s immigration crackdown
This marks the first formal enforcement action under House Bill 200, Montana’s law requiring cooperation with federal immigration authorities

Helena’s Defiant Resolution Triggers State Action

The Helena City Commission voted on January 26, 2026, to prevent local law enforcement from assisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, directly challenging Montana’s 2021 sanctuary city ban. Attorney General Knudsen announced the investigation on February 11 at a joint press conference with Governor Gianforte, declaring that Helena must follow the law or face consequences. The city’s resolution represents the only formalized non-cooperation policy in Montana, making it the sole target of this groundbreaking enforcement action under House Bill 200.

Governor Gianforte requested the investigation through a formal letter to the Attorney General, citing Helena’s refusal to cooperate with federal authorities as a threat to public safety. The timing aligns with President Trump’s directives to ICE and Customs and Border Protection to deport criminals residing illegally in the United States. Montana’s Republican leadership frames local resistance to federal immigration enforcement as endangering citizens and undermining the rule of law, positioning this investigation as essential to maintaining order and protecting Montanans from criminal elements.

Severe Penalties Await Non-Compliant Localities

Montana Code Annotated 2-1-601 to 605 grants Attorney General Knudsen authority to pursue civil action against Helena, with penalties including fines of up to $10,000 assessed every five days of continued non-compliance. The state can also withhold funding through the Department of Commerce, potentially cutting Helena’s access to programs like the Coal Endowment Program. These enforcement mechanisms give state officials significant leverage to compel compliance, demonstrating that Montana’s sanctuary city ban carries real financial teeth designed to prevent localities from prioritizing ideological agendas over federal law and public safety.

Knudsen emphasized that the investigation sends a clear message statewide: no local government may enact policies refusing cooperation with immigration enforcement. While concerns exist about Missoula, that city has not adopted a formal resolution, leaving Helena as the initial test case. The Attorney General’s warning extends beyond Helena, signaling that any Montana locality attempting to create sanctuary policies will face similar scrutiny. This aggressive stance reflects Montana’s commitment to aligning with federal immigration priorities under the Trump administration, rejecting the permissive approach that characterized previous years.

Law Enforcement Cooperation Essential for Public Safety

Governor Gianforte and Attorney General Knudsen argue that Helena’s resolution undermines critical partnerships between local and federal law enforcement necessary to remove dangerous criminals from communities. State officials reference January 2026 ICE-related incidents in Minnesota involving killings of U.S. citizens to illustrate the dangers of limiting cooperation with immigration authorities. Montana’s Republican leaders maintain that House Bill 200 exists precisely to prevent localities from enacting misguided policies that prioritize protecting illegal immigrants over citizen safety, particularly when federal agencies target individuals with criminal records for deportation.

Montana city under investigation for potential violation of sanctuary city banhttps://t.co/qR9STfBQHk pic.twitter.com/k98MJdqzkE

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) February 12, 2026

This investigation reinforces Montana’s broader commitment to supporting President Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda and rejecting the sanctuary city movement that gained traction during prior administrations. The state’s firm stance demonstrates how Republican-led governments are actively combating local resistance to federal immigration law, using statutory authority to ensure compliance. For Montanans frustrated by years of lax border enforcement and sanctuary policies elsewhere, this investigation represents accountability and a return to common-sense priorities that place American citizens first and demand respect for federal authority in immigration matters.