No badge is above the law: Cities and states have a duty to protect

By: Kari Hong

Outlets: Daily Montanan

Published: February 14, 2026

Words: 989

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

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Helena City Council recently passed an ordinance, attempting to protect themselves if ICE shows up.

Gov. Greg Gianforte and Attorney General Austin Knudsen responded with threats, claiming Helena would be punished for interfering with “immigration enforcement.”

For years, that phrase went unchallenged. We were told immigrants are criminals. Dangerous. Invading. That narrative no longer holds.

ICE was formed in 2003 with a $3.3 billion budget. This year it will spend roughly $45 billion, …

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