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Whitefish residents call for review after traffic stop led to six‑day immigration detention
Summary
Multiple residents told the City Council they want further investigation and policy clarification after a traffic stop resulted in the six‑day out‑of‑state detention of Renjifo del Castillo; speakers cited possible language and ethnicity bias and asked for clearer police procedures on contacting federal immigration authorities.
Whitefish — At the May 20 City Council meeting several residents urged the council to investigate a recent traffic stop that led to the six‑day detention of a local driver by federal authorities, saying the stop and subsequent referral to border patrol appeared to be based on language ability and ethnicity.
John Ratka Skinner, a Whitefish resident, told the council he had read the Whitefish Police Department policy on bias‑based policing and said the department’s handbook states officers must not rely inappropriately on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, national origin or limited English proficiency. “Officer Hingis made a deliberate and wholly discretionary decision to call border patrol during his stop of Mister Renjifo del Castillo,” Ratka Skinner said in public comment. He added that Del Castillo had a valid Montana driver’s license and insurance and was never advised of the reason for the detention or given documentation of it.
Other speakers reiterated concerns and asked for clarity on department procedures. Rebecca Miller, an immigration advocate from Kalispell, recited her reading of the city policy: officers may contact Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or ICE only if they have reasonable suspicion of a criminal immigration violation; if an officer calls CBP/ICE a supervisor should be notified and weigh in on whether to transfer custody. Miller asked the city to clarify how officers are trained to establish “reasonable suspicion” or probable cause in immigration matters and whether the current policy or training allows CBP/ICE to assume custody before supervisory review.
City officials and councilors responded that the police chief has said officers cannot be expected to track constantly changing immigration law and that the department seeks guidance on when, and how, to contact federal immigration authorities. Several council members and staff encouraged continued review of the incident and the department’s policies; staff said they would accept letters and public comments and that the council can request further investigation or policy clarification.
No formal council action was taken at the meeting. Speakers called for follow‑up in the form of a public explanation of the stop, clearer policy language or changes to training and oversight. City staff noted the department provided the public police policy and has said supervisory review is part of the policy language; public commenters disputed whether the practice matched the written policy on timing, oversight and whether CBP/ICE may take over custody once called.
Quotes “Officer Hingis made a deliberate and wholly discretionary decision to call border patrol during his stop of Mister Renjifo del Castillo,” John Ratka Skinner told the council during public comment.
“I would really like to have that information,” Rebecca Miller said, asking the city to clarify the elements that establish reasonable suspicion or probable cause for contacting federal immigration authorities.
Context and next steps Public commenters raised concern that detentions based on perceived language ability or ethnicity discourage reporting of crimes and erode trust in policing. Staff and councilors said they accept the public’s concerns and can pursue further internal review or request that the police department provide additional public explanations, training updates or policy clarifications. The council did not vote on any motion related to this matter on May 20.
