For the second time, Attorney General Austin Knudsen is going after jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with ICE. This time, it’s Gallatin County. Knudsen is accusing the County of improperly withholding confidential criminal justice information from federal immigration. He’s prevailed on County Attorney Audrey Cromwell to reverse that policy immediately.
The Montana Free Press’ JoVonne Wagner reports Knudsen is referencing an email from Cromwell’s office saying the prosecutor’s office “does not legally recognize” ICE as an agency entitled to receive confidential information under Montana’s Confidential Criminal Justice Information statute. The County Attorney notes the information requested as, as part of a civil matter, was “nonpublic”. Cromwell asserts that there is “no blanket policy” that prohibits cooperation with ICE. She says she was only protecting her county from possible legal ramifications.
Last month, the State Attorney General issued a cease-and-desist letter to Helena…over what he called a violation of House Bill 200…claiming Helena’s city council had voted to make Helena a “sanctuary city”…and could face a lawsuit…with $10,000 fines every 5 days if left uncorrected.
Subsequently, the Helena City Commission has voted 4-1 to rescind the city’s decision to remove itself from the Missouri River Drug Task Force. At their Mayor Emily Dean told the Commission and the gathered citizenry that they were “being baited into a fight that is rigged.”
