Montana Police Step Back from Border Patrol Collaboration, Protecting Local Focus on Drug Enforcement

In a decisive move that underscores the critical importance of local law enforcement sovereignty, the Helena Police Department has withdrawn from the Missouri River Drug Task Force (MRDTF) following its decision to collaborate with U.S. Border Patrol agents. This development marks a vital assertion of jurisdictional clarity and focus amid growing concerns over federal overreach disguised as partnership.

Why Should Local Policing Avoid Federal Immigration Enforcement?

Helena Police Chief Brett Petty’s announcement to city commissioners revealed a clear-eyed concern: ensuring that Helena’s police remain dedicated to their primary mission—fighting drug trafficking within their community—not becoming entangled in immigration enforcement. The MRDTF had been debating for over a year the integration of border patrol agents into its operations, formalizing an agreement last November to deploy these federal actors in Montana towns including Helena and Bozeman.

While collaboration between agencies can be beneficial, allowing federal immigration authorities direct operational roles within local drug task forces risks distracting law enforcement from essential crime-fighting duties. Chief Petty emphasized this by describing his choice as a “brief pause” to reassess how these changes impact local policing priorities and community trust.

Local Control Over Policing Reflects America First Values

The decision powerfully illustrates how communities must safeguard their constitutional rights and maintain control over who polices them—a cornerstone of the America First principle of national sovereignty starting at home. Importantly, Chief Petty assured that Helena’s efforts against drug crimes will not diminish; their investigator remains firmly under HPD control despite withdrawal from MRDTF funding and partnerships.

Meanwhile, neighboring East Helena chose a different path by embracing border patrol involvement—a choice underscoring that debates about law enforcement collaboration are not merely administrative but reflect differing views on national security and local autonomy.

This situation raises poignant questions: Should American communities tolerate blurred lines where immigration agents participate in what should be focused drug investigations? How long will Washington push one-size-fits-all federal solutions that undermine tailored, community-based policing strategies?

For families facing rising crime rates and pervasive drug problems fueled by porous borders and inadequate federal policies, Helena’s stand is more than administrative—it is about prioritizing safety and self-determination. As citizens voiced support for their chief’s decision during public meetings dominated by concerned advocates, it becomes clear that preserving local policing focus resonates deeply with those who value freedom, transparency, and effective law enforcement.

The America First movement champions such decisions—favoring common-sense approaches to law enforcement that respect community needs above sprawling bureaucratic mandates. Chief Petty’s actions remind us all why we must vigilantly defend state and local sovereignty against overreach masked as cooperation.