Montana’s Attorney General Austin Knudsen declared on Wednesday an investigation into the city of Helena for possible breaches of the state's sanctuary city ban. Helena had recently passed a resolution indicating a lack of cooperation with federal immigration authorities, which raised flags for state officials amid a national climate of heightened immigration law enforcement under President Donald Trump. Knudsen pointed out that Helena could incur a fine of up to $10,000 for every five days that it remains noncompliant with a state law from 2021 that mandates local authorities to assist federal immigration officials. Helena's resolution specifically states that it shall not reveal any sensitive information, including a person's immigration status or national origin, aligning the city with many other jurisdictions that resist federal immigration enforcement. During the press briefing, Knudsen emphasized that the city council's actions seem to disregard the statutory requirements laid out by the Montana Legislature. Although Helena officials claimed they had not received a formal notice regarding the investigation, they asserted that the resolution aligns with local, state, and federal laws. They believe they are fully compliant with their legal obligations. Nearly half of U.S. states prohibit sanctuary cities, according to the Washington-based Federation for American Immigration Reform. Supporting the attorney general during the announcement, Republican Governor Greg Gianforte expressed concern over the safety of federal agents, referencing recent incidents where individuals were killed during immigration enforcement actions. He urged that tragedies do not justify ignoring state laws. The situation in Helena reflects broader national conflicts surrounding immigration policy and state versus local authority.