WAKING GIANT

About the Helena City Commission “ICE Resolution”

In January 2026, Helenans showed up in force to show the City Commission their support for the “Resolution Memorializing City of Helena Policy When Federal Immigration Enforcement Actions are Present Within City Limits,” also called the “ICE Resolution.” The night of the vote, nearly 500 supporters packed commission chambers, overflow rooms, and even City-County Building hallways. After hearing three hours of testimony from about 80 supporters and 3 detractors, Commissioners passed the resolution.

“Sanctuary City” Allegation

On February 11, 2026, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen held a press conference to announce his intention to investigate the city of Helena for allegedly violating the 2021 Montana state law prohibiting “sanctuary jurisdictions” (commonly called “sanctuary cities”) within Montana (MCA § 2-1-601 to 605). Knudsen has threatened the city with legal actions and potentially fines unless Helena caves and repeals the resolution.

Waking Giant and MT4Palestine request that the Commission amend the resolution to make clear we are asking the Helena Police Department to continue to follow all laws, which is not a difficult change to make. We DO NOT support repealing the resolution entirely.

Protecting our community is important, and we should not give in just because the attorney general and governor feel upset about a community standing up for its neighbors.

ICE Resolution Text

Full text of Resolution 21062, adopted by the Helena City Commission on January 26, 2026.

Note: While we count the resolution’s passage as a win, the version the Commission passed is weaker than many supporters had hoped. It leaves in loopholes for Helena Police officers to not comply, and leaves out a reference to Montana’s law against racial profiling and a proposed provision for tracking when and how Helena Police Department personnel interact with federal officers.

Montana Code Annotated§ 2-1-601 to 605

Full text of the Montana law prohibiting “sanctuary cities” on Montana Code Annotated

3/26/26 Special Commission Meeting

To address the Attorney General’s challenge to the ICE Resolution, the City Commission has scheduled a special meeting:

For those who are able to come, we’d love to show our resolve in person! If you’re unable to attend in person or online, visit the City Commission webpage and click “Submit General Public Comment” to submit a written comment.