Montana AG Demands Gallatin County Rescind Immigration Policy

Knudsen says Cromwell's policy puts public safety at risk by limiting ICE access to criminal justice data.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:28pm

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A photorealistic painting of a government building or courthouse in a small Montana town, with warm sunlight casting dramatic shadows across the facade and surrounding landscape, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation around the political tensions at play.The legal battle over immigration enforcement policies exposes the complex dynamics between state and local governments in Montana.Helena Today

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is demanding that Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell rescind her policy refusing to recognize U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as a 'criminal justice agency' and share confidential criminal justice information with them. Knudsen says the policy is illegal and undermines law enforcement cooperation to address illegal immigration in the state.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between state and local governments over immigration enforcement policies. Knudsen argues Cromwell's policy jeopardizes public safety, while Cromwell likely views it as protecting immigrant communities. The outcome could set a precedent for how Montana handles conflicts between state and local immigration policies.

The details

Cromwell's policy, outlined in an October 2025 email to local law enforcement, states that the Gallatin County Attorney's Office does not legally recognize ICE as a law enforcement agency entitled to receive confidential criminal justice information (CCJI). Knudsen says this violates state and federal law, as ICE is clearly defined as a criminal justice agency under Montana statutes. He argues the policy creates barriers for law enforcement cooperation and puts Gallatin County residents at risk.

  • On October 2025, Cromwell's office sent an email to local law enforcement about the policy.
  • Cromwell has until Monday, April 6, 2026 to rescind the policy or Knudsen will take immediate action.

The players

Austin Knudsen

The Attorney General of Montana who is demanding Gallatin County rescind its policy limiting ICE's access to criminal justice data.

Audrey Cromwell

The Gallatin County Attorney who implemented the policy refusing to recognize ICE as a 'criminal justice agency' entitled to confidential information.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency charged with enforcing immigration and customs laws, which Cromwell's policy seeks to limit access for.

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What they’re saying

“The cease-and-desist letter sent today follows an October 2025 email sent by Cromwell's executive assistant to local law enforcement informing them that 'the Gallatin County Attorney's Office does not legally recognize Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as a law enforcement agency entitled to receive Confidential Criminal Justice Information (CCJI)'.”

— Austin Knudsen, Montana Attorney General

“In Montana, we support our law enforcement officers and federal agents, like ICE officers, are no exception. County Attorney Cromwell's policy is a flagrant violation of state and federal law and puts the safety of Gallatin County residents at risk just to make a political statement.”

— Austin Knudsen, Montana Attorney General

What’s next

Cromwell has until Monday, April 6, 2026 to rescind the policy or Attorney General Knudsen will take immediate action to ensure state law is followed.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between state and local governments over immigration enforcement policies in Montana. The outcome could set a precedent for how the state handles conflicts between state and local immigration policies and the extent to which local jurisdictions can limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.