Helena City Commission Rescinds Immigration Enforcement Resolution Amid Legal Pressure

Fri Mar 27 2026 20:51:46 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Helena City Commission voted 4-1 to rescind a resolution that restricted local police from collaborating with federal immigration authorities, following threats of legal action from Montana's Attorney General.

Two months after the Helena city officials approved a resolution limiting police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, the city commission voted to rescind the measure in response to legal threats. Mayor Emily Dean and city commissioners faced emotional public backlash during the five-hour meeting, with many advocating for local control and community values. After the vote, the commission directed staff to draft a new resolution that adheres to state law but preserves community standards. This decision has raised concerns regarding state overreach and local governance.

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 risks, authoritarianism, and democracy — Helena’s commission members scrapped the January resolution in a 4-1 vote.

Immediately after the vote, Mayor Emily Dean called for a recess after members of the public yelled “shame” and shouted profanities at the city officials. When they returned, commission members directed city attorneys to begin redrafting the resolution and invite the attorney general’s office to discuss the revised language. That motion also passed on a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Melinda Reed dissenting.

In statements Friday morning, Knudsen and Gov. Greg Gianforte welcomed the commission’s decision. “The commissioners made the right decision voting to keep the Helena community safe,” the attorney general wrote, asserting that his office would hold jurisdictions in violation of Montana’s sanctuary city prohibition accountable.

Tensions remained high during the special meeting, held at the Helena Civic Center auditorium to accommodate a large crowd. Natasha P. Jones, an attorney consulted by the city, recommended rescinding the resolution due to the financial risks associated with compliance issues under the 2021 Montana law banning sanctuary cities and potential litigation expenses.

Numerous public commenters insisted that the resolution did not turn Helena into a “sanctuary city,” urging city officials to maintain it. They described the actions of Knudsen and Gianforte as “bullying.” Barbara Chillcott, a Helena resident, cautioned against state overreach, emphasizing the resolution's reflection of local values.

The meeting drew significant attendance, with more than 200 people present and others participating online. Ultimately, the commission's vote to rescind the resolution may have implications beyond Helena's budget, raising questions of local governance versus state authority.

Jones advised that once the original resolution is rescinded, city leaders could negotiate with the state to formulate a new resolution that would satisfy both the local community's desires and state legal requirements.