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 over five hours of public comment and deliberation — during which nearly a hundred people testified fiercely 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 as members of the public yelled “shame” 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, which 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. In a Facebook post, Gianforte wrote, “We banned sanctuary cities to keep our cities safe. The City of Helena made the right decision to rescind its resolution and allow the Helena Police Department to continue its cooperation with federal immigration authorities.”
Tensions during the special meeting, held in the Helena Civic Center auditorium to accommodate the larger crowd, remained high. An outside attorney recommended that the commission rescind the entire measure passed earlier this year due to potential legal implications.
Among public commenters, many rejected the notion that the resolution had made Helena a “sanctuary city” and urged officials to maintain the measure. Frustrated proponents described the actions of state leaders as “bullying” and “extortion.” Barbara Chillcott, a Helena resident, expressed concern that rescinding the resolution would shift power back to the attorney general and governor.
Despite the reinstated resolution, stakeholders remain concerned about local control over police enforcement, financial risks, and the community's values.
The Helena commission is expected to revisit the issue, aiming to negotiate a new resolution that aligns with both local interests and state law. The discussion around local governance, public safety, and rights continues amidst escalating tensions.
