Billings, MT speaks out against funding for police collaboration with ICE

Billings, MT – On Monday, October 26, members of the Billings Alliance for Immigrant Rights (BAIR) attended a city council meeting to oppose plans to apply for the “Justice Assistance Grant” (JAG). This grant from the Department of Justice would split $164,000 between the Billings Police Department (BPD) and the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO), with most of the funding going to BPD, for things like ‘less lethal equipment and munitions’ and ‘ballistic protective equipment.’

Hidden in the DOJ’s packet describing this grant was a small section about “Immigration Enforcement.” The section explained that “state and local agencies may use JAG funds to partner with federal law enforcement on immigration enforcement operations.”

BAIR member Ellis Tillery detailed another section in this DOJ packet about “unallowable activities.” The section explains “Out of program scope is any program or activity, impedes or hinders the enforcement of federal immigration law,” effectively barring local police from not cooperating with ICE, if the city’s application was accepted. Tillery argued, “This is the same federal overreach that was voted against in the Model Cities Initiative Grant.”

BAIR co-founder Andreas Storey addressed recent attacks by immigration agents in Billings, stating, “At the United Way backpack drive, two families were kidnapped and taken to a modern-day concentration camp in Havre, Montana. Billings does not need any more ICE and Border Patrol collaboration.”

In September 2025, the home of 89-year-old Eva Sigsworth and her son, Arthur Alvarado, was raided by Billings PD in collaboration with Border Patrol and other agencies.

Arthur Alvarado gave a comment about his experience with federal agents, “I’m a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. I just cannot believe the way that we were treated. It really broke my heart to be questioned and interrogated by these federal agencies. And I just can’t see how you can give them any funds to terrorize other families.”

After Alvarado’s comment, Mayor Mike Nelson attempted to disprove the activists’ statements. Nelson asked City Attorney Gina Dahl ,“Could we take 12,000 for the Interior Patrol SUV equipment and use it for ICE operations?” Dahl was unable to give a definitive ‘no,’ responding, “I’m not going to say that we could not, but something like that would require coordination with the federal government, because that’s not what we applied for.”

This item was included in the consent agenda, meaning that it and several other items would be voted in one sweeping vote, unless council members asked for any items to be separated. BAIR’s demand was for JAG to be removed from the consent agenda, properly discussed by the public, and then voted down by council members.

However, after worming their way around the accusations made by BAIR, the seven city council members present voted unanimously on the consent agenda, moving forward with applying for the Justice Assistance Grant. Chants of “Shame on you!” rang out in the council chambers. Following BAIR’s disruption of the meeting, Billings Police escorted members out of the meeting.

BAIR members later returned to the council chambers to voice their disapproval of the vote. The Billings Alliance for Immigrant Rights will continue to fight against police cooperation with ICE, and for a sanctuary city.

To join the fight, attend a BAIR planning meeting every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the Billings Public Library large conference room. Follow BAIR on Facebook or Instagram @billings_air for further updates.

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