HB214 empowers state prosecutors to pursue criminal charges against individuals who are subject to federal immigration detention for offenses committed within Montana. The bill mandates that if a prosecutor decides not to pursue such charges, they must notify the Montana Attorney General, who will have the authority to review and potentially override the decision.
The Montana State House of Representatives passed HB214 on February 12, 2025 by a vote of 58 to 42. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because this bill strengthens state-level enforcement of immigration law and upholds the rule of law. By empowering state prosecutors—and ultimately the Attorney General—to hold criminal aliens accountable for crimes committed in Montana, HB214 reinforces state sovereignty and ensures that unlawful behavior does not go unpunished. This approach protects Montana communities from the consequences of unchecked illegal migration.