ICE Operations Continue in Montana, Why Major Details Are Being Kept Under Wraps

ICE operations continue in Montana as a report from Explore Big Sky (EBS) revealed an ICE arrest that took place in Gallatin Gateway.

Details of the arrest are minimal but according to EBS, Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer confirmed ICE was present in Gallatin County.

We'll get to that in a moment but first...

What Happened with ICE in Gallatin Gateway?

According to the report from EBS, ICE "reportedly detained people in Gallatin Gateway behind The Jump Restaurant & Bar."

But beyond those details? There's not much outside of a photo from "ICEOut.org", a watchdog site that reports ICE activity around the country, using a color-coded system that lets users know which incidents are "Critical", "Active", "Observed", or "Other."

The folks with EBS tried but couldn't get ahold of the Department Homeland Security office that were working with Gallatin County.

So, why not give us more information?

Ramon v. Short

Gallatin County Sheriff Springer kept major details under wrap due to legal precedence. According to Supreme Court case Ramon v. Short and Justia, the Montana Supreme Court (unanimously) ruled that the arresting sheriff in that case "lacked state arrest authority to detain Plaintiff on the basis of his potential removal under federal immigration law."

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You could argue this precedence created a "legal wall" between state and federal law enforcement agencies, but we also have to look at House Bill 200 or the 'Sanctuary City Ban.'

As we saw recently, cities like Helena tried to test the waters by passing a resolution that would have prevented local law enforcement from assisting in ICE operations.

It didn't go over well with Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen and Governor Gianforte.

"In 2021, I signed House Bill 200 into law that explicitly bans sanctuary city policies in Montana and under this law, no state or local government may enact policies that refuse cooperation with federal immigration authorities," Gov. Gianforte said in his press release at the time.

Does The Public Have a Right to Full Transparency?

There's a possibility we'll all get more information about this arrest/detainment soon but then again... maybe not?

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If local law enforcement is tight roping their way across a press conference regarding a detainment, they're likely doing so to avoid breaking the law or interfering with the investigation.

Should it be like this? Or should both sides work toward a compromise that gives locals and their communities a little bit more information when these situations arise?

Share your thoughts with us HERE.