AG Austin Knudsen Demands Gallatin County Attorney Reverse ICE Policy – Deadline is Today
AG Austin Knudsen Demands Gallatin County Attorney Reverse ICE Policy – Deadline is Today, Monday April 6, 2026
Gallatin County Republicans believe in the rule of law, strong public safety, and full cooperation between state and federal law enforcement.
On April 2, 2026, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen sent a cease-and-desist letter to Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell. He is demanding she immediately rescind what he calls an unlawful policy that refuses to recognize U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as a criminal justice agency.
The issue stems from an October 2025 email sent by Cromwell’s office to local law enforcement. That email stated the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office “does not legally recognize Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as a law enforcement agency entitled to receive Confidential Criminal Justice Information (CCJI).” As a result, ICE was told it could only receive public documents.
Attorney General Knudsen made clear that this position violates both Montana state law and federal statutes. He warned that the policy “puts the safety of Gallatin County residents at risk and undermines law enforcement operations to crack down on illegal immigration in Montana.”
Cromwell has pushed back, saying there is no blanket policy and that the decision was a one-off related to a specific civil matter. She plans to respond to the Attorney General by today’s deadline of April 6.
As conservatives, we expect our local officials to work with federal law enforcement — not create obstacles. Montana is not a sanctuary jurisdiction. Protecting our communities means sharing critical information so law enforcement can do its job.
The Gallatin County Republican Central Committee applauds Attorney General Knudsen for standing up for the law and for the safety of Montanans. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and support efforts to ensure full cooperation with ICE and other federal partners.
Gallatin County voters deserve elected officials who put public safety and the rule of law first. We encourage everyone to stay informed as this story develops.
