Montana Investigates Helena Over 'Sanctuary City' Law

State alleges city violated law prohibiting policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The State of Montana has launched an investigation into whether the City of Helena violated the state's law prohibiting 'sanctuary cities.' The investigation comes after the City of Helena passed a resolution on Helena Police policy and the city's involvement in federal immigration enforcement.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tension between state and local governments over immigration enforcement policies, with the state seeking to enforce a law prohibiting 'sanctuary city' policies while the city has passed a resolution limiting its cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

The details

The state is investigating whether the City of Helena violated House Bill 200 from 2021, which prohibits state agencies and local governments from implementing policies that stop employees from communicating with federal agencies about immigration or citizenship status. The law also requires governments to comply with immigration detainer requests. If found in violation, the state could fine the city $10,000 every five days, prevent them from receiving new state grants, and re-prioritize their state projects.

  • On March 31, 2021, Governor Greg Gianforte signed HB 200 into law.
  • On January 26, 2026, the City of Helena adopted a resolution limiting its cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

The players

Greg Gianforte

The Republican Governor of Montana who signed HB 200 into law.

Austin Knudsen

The Republican Attorney General of Montana who announced the investigation into the City of Helena.

City of Helena

The local government in Montana that passed a resolution limiting its cooperation with federal immigration authorities, which the state is now investigating.

Helena Police Department

The local law enforcement agency in Helena whose policies regarding federal immigration enforcement are at the center of the dispute.

Montana Legislature

The state legislative body that passed HB 200, the law prohibiting 'sanctuary city' policies.

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What they’re saying

“Recent events across the nation have put federal law enforcement officers in difficult situations that have resulted in the loss of life. I'm grateful to President Trump who has fully committed to investigating any tragedy like those we've seen in recent weeks. However, these tragedies, no matter how unfortunate, do not give local government the right to ignore laws that have been passed by the state of Montana in 2021.”

— Greg Gianforte, Governor (krtv.com)

“This is clearly the city council of Helena thumbing its nose at the Montana Legislature. The city of Helena does not like state law. I encourage it to retain counsel, get a lobbyist, come up here to the Capitol during the '27 legislative session and take its best shot at changing the law. In the meantime, we will enforce state law as passed by the Montana Legislature and as signed by the governor.”

— Austin Knudsen, Attorney General (krtv.com)

What’s next

The state investigation will determine whether the City of Helena is in violation of the state's law prohibiting 'sanctuary city' policies. If found in violation, the city could face fines and other penalties.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between state and local governments over immigration enforcement policies, with the state seeking to enforce a law prohibiting 'sanctuary city' policies while the city has passed a resolution limiting its cooperation with federal immigration authorities.