Immigration

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 15, 2025

LC 1203: Revise election laws to provide for verification of an elector’s citizenship

This bill requires Montana's Secretary of State to verify the U.S. citizenship status of all registered voters and remove those who are not citizens from the voter rolls. It mandates that new voter applicants provide documentary proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, with limited exceptions for specific alternative IDs. The law also directs officials to notify voters whose citizenship status cannot be immediately confirmed and give them a chance to provide proof before their names are removed.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts immigrant access to voting and mandates citizenship verification, limiting protections for non-citizens.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs Tags Elections

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 25, 2025

LC 3090: Generally revise workers' compensation laws

This bill revises Montana's workers' compensation laws by clarifying who qualifies for coverage and establishing new eligibility rules. It explicitly includes lawfully employed aliens while prohibiting unlawfully employed aliens from receiving workers' compensation benefits. The legislation also requires insurers to close claims for individuals who leave the United States or certain U.S. territories while a claim is active. Additionally, the bill updates definitions to cover various groups such as vocational trainees, community service workers, and inmates in prison industries programs, while maintaining exclusions for volunteers and foster parents. These changes aim to streamline how workers' compensation claims are handled and define the scope of covered workers more precisely.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts workers' compensation benefits for unlawfully employed aliens and requires claim closure when individuals leave the US, limiting immigrant access to state services.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill restricts workers' compensation benefits by excluding unlawfully employed aliens and closing claims for those leaving the US, limiting worker protections and benefits.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 1740: Prohibit ownership of private property within state by certain foreign individuals and entities

This bill prohibits non-citizens and foreign entities from owning real property in Montana, affecting anyone who is not a U.S. citizen or whose business is based outside the country. It requires violators to sell their property within six months, after which a county sheriff may auction it at public sale. The attorney general or local county attorney can enforce the law by filing a lawsuit, and the restrictions apply only to property purchased on or after January 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill restricts property ownership by non-citizens and foreign entities, limiting housing development and access to housing market, which opposes housing availability and development.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts property ownership by non-citizens and foreign entities, limiting immigrant access to real estate and increasing state-level restrictions on immigration-related rights.95% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 15, 2025

LC 2174: Revise participation in extracurricular activities

This bill amends Montana education law to allow school districts and athletic organizations to restrict home school students who are not U.S. citizens from participating in extracurricular activities. The legislation maintains existing protections for home school students who are U.S. citizens, ensuring they cannot be barred from participation solely based on their enrollment status or attendance hours. For all home school students, the bill requires written verification of academic eligibility from their home school educator, with principal verification that excludes student assessments. The changes take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts extracurricular participation for homeschool students based on citizenship status, limiting educational access and student programs.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts extracurricular participation for non-citizen homeschool students, limiting immigrant access to educational services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 20, 2025

LC 2134: Create the crime of human smuggling

This bill creates a new criminal offense called human smuggling in Montana, targeting individuals who knowingly transport or harbor people who entered the United States illegally without federal inspection. Anyone convicted of this crime faces up to 20 years in state prison and fines of up to $400,000, while convicted organizations lose eligibility for certain tax exemptions. The law also allows authorities to seize and forfeit property used in human smuggling, including vehicles, money, and equipment, with proceeds from sales going to crime victims compensation funds. Additionally, the bill amends existing tax exemption laws to clarify how property is classified under current Montana statutes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating new offense with harsh penalties, increasing mandatory sentencing and restricting due process for those accused of human smuggling.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill criminalizes human smuggling and increases state immigration enforcement penalties, restricting immigrant access and protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 14, 2025

LC 1641: Provide for prosecution of state crimes for persons subject to federal immigration detention

This bill allows Montana state authorities to criminally prosecute individuals who are currently in federal immigration detention for crimes committed within the state. It enables the state to pursue legal action against these individuals regardless of their immigration status or pending federal proceedings. Additionally, the bill gives the state the option to either surrender a person to federal authorities if a state case is pending or continue the state trial until the person is convicted and sentenced. This change directly affects how Montana handles criminal cases involving people detained by federal immigration officials.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables state prosecution of crimes committed within state regardless of immigration status, strengthening law enforcement authority and ensuring accountability for criminal acts.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill enables state prosecution of individuals in federal immigration detention, increasing state enforcement and limiting protections for immigrants regardless of status.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 14, 2025

LC 1663: Provide for a legal employment and government accountability law

This bill establishes the Legal Employment and Government Accountability Law, requiring employers in Montana to verify the legal work authorization status of all employees before they begin work using either the federal E-Verify system or completed federal Form I-9 documentation. The Department of Labor and Industry is authorized to enforce these requirements by conducting investigations and audits, with the power to inspect employer records and issue subpoenas. Penalties for violations escalate with each offense, ranging from fines of up to $500 for a first violation to license suspension and fines up to $2,500 per individual for third or subsequent violations, with all collected penalties deposited into a state enforcement fund. The law explicitly states that employers must still comply with all federal immigration laws while implementing these verification procedures.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill mandates employer verification of work authorization and increases state immigration enforcement, restricting immigrant employment access.90% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill restricts worker rights by mandating employer verification of legal status, limiting employment access for undocumented workers and increasing employer burden.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Work Authorization

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 17, 2025

LC 1604: Prohibit employing aliens not lawfully authorized to accept employment

This bill prohibits employers in Montana from knowingly hiring, recruiting, referring, or employing individuals who are not lawfully authorized to work in the United States. It directly affects businesses and individuals who employ workers, as well as state licensing authorities that regulate professional and business licenses. The law imposes a fine of up to $300 for violations and mandates automatic suspension or revocation of professional licenses for first, second, and subsequent offenses, with suspension periods ranging from one year to 20 years. Additionally, the bill allows harmed individuals to sue for damages of $500 or $2,000 per day of unauthorized work depending on whether the violation was negligent or knowing, and it grants peace officers authority to investigate potential violations.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts immigrant employment access by prohibiting hiring of unauthorized workers and imposing penalties, limiting immigrant protections and access to work.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill restricts employment access for unauthorized workers, limiting labor market participation and potentially reducing available workforce options.85% confidence

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 15, 2025

LC 3071: Require peace officer to check and report immigration status during lawful stop

This bill requires peace officers in Montana to check and report the immigration status of individuals during lawful stops, unless doing so would hinder an investigation. It directly affects law enforcement officers and individuals who are stopped by police under existing stop-and-frisk provisions. The key provision adds a new requirement for officers to make a reasonable attempt to determine immigration status when practicable and report non-citizens who are not lawfully present to federal immigration agencies. The bill amends existing Montana law to include this immigration status check as part of the standard investigative stop procedure.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by requiring immigration status checks during stops, potentially increasing enforcement scope and limiting individual rights under existing stop-and-frisk provisions.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill mandates state law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement by requiring officers to check and report immigration status during stops.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 13, 2025

LC 1337: Require employers to use e-verify for employment eligibility

This bill requires employers in Montana to use the federal e-Verify system to confirm the work authorization status of all new employees, with an effective date of October 1, 2025. Employers must register for an e-Verify account, submit employee information for verification within three business days of hiring, and retain verification records for the duration of employment or three years. The Montana Attorney General is given authority to investigate complaints about unauthorized workers and may impose fines ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 per violation, with potential license suspension for repeat offenders. Local governments are prohibited from passing laws that conflict with these requirements, and the bill includes protections against discrimination based on race, color, national origin, or other discriminatory factors.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill mandates e-Verify for all new employees, increasing state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and restricting immigrant employment access.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill mandates e-Verify for all employees, which restricts hiring practices and may limit workers' employment opportunities and rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Work Authorization

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