Montana Attorney General Investigates Helena for Potential Sanctuary City Violations

State law compels local authorities to cooperate with federal immigration agents, but Helena passed a resolution discouraging such cooperation.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Montana's Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced an investigation into the city of Helena for potential violations of the state's sanctuary city ban. This comes after Helena officials passed a resolution discouraging cooperation with federal immigration authorities, which Knudsen says violates a 2021 state law requiring local cooperation. Helena officials maintain the resolution is consistent with applicable laws.

Why it matters

The investigation highlights the ongoing tensions between state and local governments over immigration enforcement policies, with Republican-led states like Montana seeking to crack down on so-called 'sanctuary cities' that resist federal immigration actions. This case could set a precedent for how far state governments can go in compelling local cooperation on immigration matters.

The details

Knudsen said Helena faces a fine of up to $10,000 for every five days it's found to be in violation of the state law. The Helena resolution states city officials shall not disclose 'any sensitive information' like a person's immigration status to outside agencies. Knudsen called this 'the City Council of Helena thumbing its nose at the Montana Legislature', while Helena officials said the resolution was carefully considered and is consistent with legal requirements.

  • On February 11, 2026, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced the investigation into Helena.
  • In January 2026, the Helena City Council passed the resolution discouraging cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

The players

Austin Knudsen

The Republican Attorney General of Montana who is leading the investigation into Helena.

Greg Gianforte

The Republican Governor of Montana who joined Knudsen in the announcement and said federal agents have been put in 'difficult situations' that resulted in people being killed, an apparent reference to the shooting deaths of protesters Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal immigration officers in Minnesota.

City of Helena

The Montana city that passed a resolution discouraging cooperation with federal immigration authorities, which is now under investigation by the state Attorney General.

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What they’re saying

“This is clearly the City Council of Helena thumbing its nose at the Montana Legislature.”

— Austin Knudsen, Montana Attorney General (ksgf.com)

“The City believes the resolution is consistent with those legal requirements. The City remains committed to upholding all applicable federal and state laws.”

— City of Helena (ksgf.com)

What’s next

The investigation by the Montana Attorney General's office will determine if the City of Helena is in violation of the state's sanctuary city ban, and if so, the city could face fines of up to $10,000 for every five days it is found to be in violation.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing conflict between state and local governments over immigration enforcement, with Republican-led states like Montana seeking to crack down on so-called 'sanctuary cities' that resist federal immigration actions. The outcome could set a precedent for how much authority state governments have to compel local cooperation on immigration matters.