Montana Highway Patrol confirms assisting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation on July 1 morning
Jen Clancey STAFF WRITER
Editor’s Note: This story was updated to include July 2 comments from a Bienvenidos representative.
This morning, July 1, Immigration and Customs Enforcement reportedly detained people in Gallatin Gateway behind The Jump Restaurant & Bar. Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer could not confirm any ICE operations this morning, but spoke on the general presence of ICE in Gallatin County.
“I can confirm that ICE is here,” Springer told EBS.
Springer did not comment further on local ICE operations. The Department of Homeland Security’s office overseeing Gallatin County directed EBS to a national phone line that was not available for calls ahead of press time. A representative for Montana Highway Patrol confirmed that the agency assisted ICE in an operation this morning, but did not provide further information.
Photos of the reported detainment this morning show two agents around a white Snow Country Limo bus early this morning around 7 a.m. The buses often transport employees to Big Sky workplaces. The photo was shared to ICEout.org, a site where residents across the U.S. can submit reports of ICE activity, and is the same photo provided to Gallatin County’s Community Rapid Response team. GCCRR is a group that tracks immigration enforcement in the area.
Bienvenidos a Gallatin Valley, an organization that supports Spanish-speaking families and the local migrant community, shared its response to recent ICE activity in a June 30 press release.
“In the last four days Bienvenidos has received reports from community members indicating that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations have occurred in Gallatin County,” the release stated. Bienvenidos noted in the release that as of the morning of June 30, an estimated 25-30 individuals were detained across the community, though numbers are likely higher due to “the lack of transparency in ICE operations.”
On Monday, June 29, Springer confirmed an ICE arrest in Bozeman, according to reporting by the Bozeman Daily Chronicle. According to Sally Moyce, a Bienvenidos board member, the organization is tracking roughly 80 more people who were reportedly detained by ICE on July 1 in Gallatin County. She said the local immigrant community is “terrified” about recent ICE activity.
“People are not going to work. People are not leaving their houses,” Moyce said. According to to the June 30 release, several businesses made the decision to close temporarily as well.
“Our hearts are with every family experiencing fear, uncertainty and separation during this difficult time. No one should have to face moments like these alone,” the release stated.
“The presence of unmarked vehicles and individuals in tactical gear in our neighborhoods instill fear and confusion throughout Gallatin County, disrupting daily life and the sense of safety we all deserve,” the release stated. “Now is the time for our community to come together.”
On this note, the release shared options for volunteering, donating and sharing verified information about ICE operations, and cautioned against spreading rumors that cause fear and confusion.
It’s unclear where people are being transported to after arrests in the county. The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office’s immigration enforcement agreement, the 287(g) Warrant Service Officer model, was voided in June after a court hearing and county commission hearing. But the state still requires officers in Gallatin County to comply with ICE holds under a Montana law.
“Bienvenidos will continue to provide updates as verified information becomes available. We remain steadfast in our mission to ensure that every member of our community feels at home,” the release concluded.
