Immigration case sparks new scrutiny how Helena holding facility operates

Court documents said the hold room measured about 10 feet by 20 feet. The records described a space with a few wooden benches, no beds and limited blankets.

Those documents also said Cortes-Torres was held there with about 17 other people arrested by immigration authorities.

Court records said ICE agents questioned Cortes-Torres and encouraged him to self-deport. After he refused, authorities moved him to the Cascade County jail, where he faced a federal judge.

Helena City Commissioner Melinda Reed said in a Facebook post that city leaders had known about the facility and heard in early June that detentions were happening there.

"It is important for leaders to stand up when rights are being violated in any circumstance," Reed said.

The case brought new scrutiny to how the facility operates in Helena and who has authority over it.

The city’s lawyer said the federal facility is operating legally under local zoning rules and outside the jurisdiction of local lawmakers.

A federal judge ordered Cortes-Torres released from custody on Wednesday. 

"It remains important now as a statement of our values and our commitment to keep local resources focused on local issues," Reed said.

NonStop Local reached out to Montana’s attorney general for comment about the facility’s operation.

The office of Attorney General Austin Knudsen said it could not speak for other agencies because Homeland Security handled the case.

"Knudsen’s administration does work with ICE when necessary to stop illegal immigration and keep Montana families safe," the agency said.

The office also pointed to an agreement Knudsen signed last year allowing the Montana Highway Patrol and Division of Criminal Investigation to work with ICE.