AG Knudsen Escalates Pressure on Gallatin County – Demands ICE Information Sharing by Monday 5pm or State Takes Supervisory Control
Montana Attorney General gives Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell until 5 p.m. Monday to issue a memo allowing sharing of confidential criminal justice information with ICE for civil enforcement — or face direct state oversight
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is escalating the battle over cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
In a new letter dated April 23, 2026, AG Knudsen is demanding that Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell immediately direct all relevant personnel to share Confidential Criminal Justice Information (CCJI) with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for civil immigration enforcement functions.
The county has until 5 p.m. Monday, April 27 to comply by issuing the required memorandum. If Gallatin County refuses, the state will invoke supervisory control over the County Attorney’s office.
This latest demand comes after months of back-and-forth. Cromwell continues to maintain that there is “no formal or informal policy” restricting cooperation with ICE, while the Attorney General’s office insists the county’s position violates state law and endangers public safety.
Gallatin County Republicans have consistently called for full cooperation between local and federal law enforcement. Public safety should not be held hostage by legal technicalities or delay tactics. When local officials create obstacles for ICE, they put the safety of every resident in Gallatin County at risk.
We stand firmly with Attorney General Austin Knudsen and the rule of law. Montana is not a sanctuary jurisdiction, and our local officials should not be acting like one.
The Gallatin County Republican Central Committee will continue to monitor this situation closely. We urge every conservative in the Gallatin Valley to stay informed and make your voice heard — especially as we head into the June 2 Republican primary. We need elected officials at every level who prioritize public safety and full cooperation with federal law enforcement.
Previous coverage:
- AG Austin Knudsen Demands Gallatin County Attorney Reverse ICE Policy
- Update: Gallatin County Attorney Defies AG Knudsen on ICE Cooperation
The link to the full KBZK story is here:
