Montana Sanctuary City Status and Immigrant Protections in 2025

Key Takeaways

• Montana bans sanctuary city policies statewide under HB 200 since 2021, with no sanctuary declarations allowed.
• A 287(g) agreement signed in 2025 empowers state law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws.
• Undocumented immigrants face high deportation risk, but workers’ compensation remains available under state law.

Montana’s Approach to Sanctuary City Policies and Immigration Enforcement in 2025: An Analytical Overview

Purpose and Scope

This analysis examines the status of sanctuary city policies in Montana, the state’s cooperation with immigration authorities, and the specific protections or risks faced by undocumented immigrants as of 2025. The goal is to provide a clear, evidence-based picture of how Montana’s laws and practices affect undocumented immigrants, employers, law enforcement, and advocacy groups. The analysis draws on recent legislative actions, official statements, and established legal frameworks. It also compares Montana’s approach to broader national trends and discusses the practical implications for key stakeholders.

Methodology

The analysis relies on:
– Review of Montana state laws, especially HB 200 (2021), which bans sanctuary city policies statewide.
– Examination of the 287(g) agreement signed in February 2025 between Montana and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which allows state law enforcement to perform certain federal immigration functions.
– Analysis of legislative proposals from 2024-2025 targeting employers of undocumented immigrants.
– Statements from state officials, law enforcement, and advocacy groups.
– Review of Montana’s workers’ compensation laws as they relate to undocumented workers.
– Comparison with national trends and policies in other states.
– Use of official government sources and reputable immigration analysis, including reference to VisaVerge.com for context.

Key Findings

• Montana is not a sanctuary city or state. State law explicitly bans sanctuary policies, and no city or county in Montana has declared sanctuary status.
• Strong cooperation with federal immigration authorities is in place, especially after the 2025 287(g) agreement, which gives state law enforcement new powers to enforce immigration laws.
• Undocumented immigrants in Montana face a high risk of detention and deportation due to these policies and the lack of local protections.
• Workers’ compensation rights remain available to undocumented workers, a rare protection in an otherwise strict enforcement environment.
• Employers face increased penalties for hiring undocumented immigrants, reflecting a broader effort to discourage illegal immigration through workplace enforcement.
• Advocacy groups continue to push for more humane policies, but state leadership remains focused on enforcement.

Data Presentation and Visual Descriptions

To help readers understand the landscape, the following sections break down Montana’s policies, enforcement practices, and their effects on different groups. Where helpful, tables and bullet points summarize key data and trends.

Sanctuary City and State Status in Montana

Montana has taken a clear stance against sanctuary city policies. In April 2021, Governor Greg Gianforte signed HB 200, a law that bans any state agency or local government from adopting sanctuary policies. This means:

• No city or county in Montana can refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
• Local law enforcement must comply with requests from agencies like ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
• Any attempt by a city or county to declare itself a sanctuary would be illegal under state law.

As of July 8, 2025, there have been no changes or reversals to this ban. Montana remains one of several states with a statewide prohibition on sanctuary policies, joining others that have passed similar laws in recent years.

Cooperation with Federal Immigration Authorities

Montana’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities has grown even stronger in 2025. In February, Attorney General Austin Knudsen signed a 287(g) agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This agreement allows certain state law enforcement officers, including Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) troopers and Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) agents, to:

• Interrogate and arrest undocumented immigrants
• Serve and execute immigration-related warrants
• Issue immigration detainers (requests to hold individuals for ICE)

The 287(g) agreement is a formal partnership under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. It gives state officers some of the same powers as federal immigration agents. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, such agreements are designed to increase the number of officers able to enforce immigration laws, especially in states that want to take a more active role.

Visual Description:
A table could show the difference between states with and without 287(g) agreements, highlighting Montana’s position as one of the few states with such a partnership in 2025.

Local Law Enforcement Practices

While state law requires cooperation with federal immigration authorities, local police in Montana do not actively seek out undocumented immigrants during routine stops. Instead, they:

• Cooperate with federal authorities when required, such as responding to ICE detainers or warrants
• Avoid racial profiling and unnecessary immigration status checks during everyday policing
• Comply with state law prohibiting sanctuary policies

Some local agencies have expressed concern about balancing public safety with the need to avoid discrimination. However, the law leaves little room for local discretion.

Protections and Rights for Undocumented Immigrants

Despite strict enforcement policies, Montana law does provide one important protection for undocumented immigrants: access to workers’ compensation benefits. Under Montana Code Annotated § 39-71-118(a), the definition of “employee” includes all workers, regardless of immigration status. This means:

• Undocumented workers are entitled to workers’ compensation if injured on the job
• This protection has been in place for over 100 years and remains unchanged in 2025

However, there are no other state or local protections that limit cooperation with ICE or shield undocumented immigrants from detention or deportation. Unlike sanctuary cities in other states, Montana does not:

• Deny ICE access to local jails
• Refuse to honor ICE detainers
• Provide city-level legal defense funds for immigrants facing deportation

Recent Legislative and Policy Developments (2024-2025)

Montana’s approach to immigration enforcement has become even stricter in recent years. Key developments include:

• New penalties for employers: In early 2025, lawmakers advanced a bill similar to Indiana’s HB 536. This bill would:
  • Revoke business licenses for employers who knowingly hire undocumented immigrants
  • Allow individuals harmed by illegal hiring practices to sue employers
  • Increase workplace audits and enforcement
• No moves toward sanctuary policies: Despite national debates and some cities in other states reaffirming sanctuary status, Montana’s leaders have made clear they will not consider such policies.

Practical Implications for Undocumented Immigrants

The combination of a sanctuary city ban, the 287(g) agreement, and new workplace enforcement laws has several effects:

• Increased risk of detention and deportation:
  Undocumented immigrants are more likely to be identified and detained, especially if they come into contact with law enforcement.

• Limited local protections:
  Unlike in sanctuary cities, there are no local policies in Montana to protect undocumented immigrants from ICE.

• Employment risks:
  Employers face stricter penalties for hiring undocumented workers, which may reduce job opportunities for undocumented immigrants.

• Workers’ rights:
  The right to workers’ compensation remains, offering some legal protection if an undocumented worker is injured at work.

Key Stakeholders and Official Positions

The following table summarizes the roles and recent actions of major stakeholders in Montana’s immigration policy:

Background and Historical Context

Montana’s stance on sanctuary city policies is part of a larger national trend. In 2021, Montana became the 13th state to ban sanctuary cities. This move followed similar actions in other states, especially those with conservative leadership. The 287(g) agreement signed in 2025 builds on earlier federal-state partnerships but marks a renewed commitment to strict enforcement.

Montana’s inclusion of undocumented workers in its workers’ compensation system is unusual. Most states do not offer this protection, making Montana’s policy a rare exception. This reflects a long-standing recognition of the role immigrant labor plays in the state’s economy, even as enforcement policies have become more restrictive.

Comparisons, Trends, and Patterns

• Montana vs. Sanctuary States:
  Unlike states such as California 🇺🇸 or New York 🇺🇸, which have adopted sanctuary policies and limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities, Montana has moved in the opposite direction. Its laws require full cooperation and give state officers new enforcement powers.

• National Trends:
  The debate over sanctuary cities remains highly polarized in the United States 🇺🇸. Some states and cities have doubled down on sanctuary policies, while others, like Montana, have banned them entirely. The use of 287(g) agreements is less common, but Montana’s adoption in 2025 signals a willingness to go further than most states.

• Workers’ Rights:
  Montana’s continued protection of workers’ compensation rights for undocumented immigrants stands out as a rare area of support in an otherwise strict environment.

Evidence-Based Conclusions

• Montana is firmly a non-sanctuary state. Its laws and policies leave no room for local sanctuary protections.
• Cooperation with federal immigration authorities is strong and growing. The 287(g) agreement gives state law enforcement new powers to enforce immigration laws.
• Undocumented immigrants face significant risks, including detention, deportation, and limited job opportunities.
• Workers’ compensation rights remain a key protection, but other legal supports are lacking.
• Employers are under increased pressure to avoid hiring undocumented workers, with new penalties and enforcement measures.
• Advocacy groups have limited influence under current political leadership, but continue to call for more humane policies.

Limitations

• Rapidly changing policies: Immigration laws and enforcement practices can change quickly, especially with shifts in political leadership at the state or federal level.
• Local variation: While state law prohibits sanctuary policies, there may be differences in how local agencies implement these rules.
• Data on enforcement: Detailed statistics on detentions, deportations, and workplace audits in Montana are not always publicly available.
• Impact on communities: The analysis focuses on legal and policy frameworks, but the real-world impact on immigrant families and communities may be more complex.

Additional Resources

For readers seeking more information or official guidance:
– The Montana Department of Justice provides updates on immigration enforcement agreements and official statements.
– The U.S. Department of Homeland Security offers details on the 287(g) program and participating agencies.
– For information on workers’ compensation rights, visit the Montana Department of Labor & Industry.
– Local immigrant advocacy organizations can provide legal assistance and community support.

Summary and Practical Guidance

Montana’s approach to immigration in 2025 is clear: the state bans sanctuary city policies, requires full cooperation with federal immigration authorities, and has expanded state law enforcement’s role in immigration enforcement through the 287(g) agreement. Undocumented immigrants in Montana face a high risk of detention and deportation, with few local protections. Employers are under increased scrutiny, and job opportunities for undocumented workers may decline. However, workers’ compensation rights remain available to all workers, regardless of immigration status.

For undocumented immigrants in Montana, it is important to:
– Know your rights in the workplace, especially regarding workers’ compensation.
– Be aware of the risks of contact with law enforcement, given the state’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
– Seek legal advice from reputable advocacy organizations if facing detention or deportation.
– Monitor legislative changes, as new laws may further affect employment and enforcement practices.

Montana’s policies reflect a broader trend among some states to prioritize immigration enforcement over sanctuary protections. While advocacy groups continue to push for change, the current political climate suggests that strict enforcement will remain the norm for the foreseeable future.

For more detailed information on immigration enforcement and sanctuary city policies, readers can consult the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s 287(g) program page. As reported by VisaVerge.com, staying informed about both state and federal policies is essential for anyone affected by immigration laws in Montana.

Learn Today

Sanctuary City → A city that limits cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to protect undocumented immigrants.
287(g) Agreement → A federal-state partnership allowing local law enforcement to perform certain immigration enforcement functions.
Workers’ Compensation → Insurance providing wage replacement and medical benefits to employees injured at work, regardless of status.
ICE Detainer → A request by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to hold a detainee for possible deportation proceedings.
HB 200 → Montana law passed in 2021 banning sanctuary city policies statewide and mandating cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

This Article in a Nutshell

Montana prohibits sanctuary cities and cooperates strongly with federal immigration enforcement under a new 287(g) agreement. Undocumented immigrants face increased risks, but workers’ compensation protections persist. Employers face penalties for hiring unauthorized workers. State policies reflect strong immigration enforcement without local sanctuary exceptions, shaping immigrant life and labor conditions clearly in 2025.
— By VisaVerge.com