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. Upon returning, 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.
In statements following the vote, Knudsen and Gov. Greg Gianforte welcomed the decision, stating it would keep the Helena community safe and affirming their stance against what they deemed sanctuary city policies.
The commission faced substantial public pushback, with many residents arguing that rescinding the resolution under pressure undermines local authority and the values of the community. Some suggested that the aggressive stance from state officials constituted bullying.
Community advocates had originally pushed for the resolution in response to past incidents involving ICE detentions in Helena, expressing concerns about the impact on local immigrants.
Helena's new decision underscores the ongoing tension between local governance and state-level immigration enforcement policies, with implications for the city's autonomy and community relationships.
