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Whitefish residents press council over Border Patrol role after recent traffic-stop detention
Summary
Multiple Whitefish residents urged city leaders to limit referrals to Border Patrol and to clarify police practice after a traffic stop led to an immigration detention; Whitefish Police officials said Border Patrol should not be used for interpretation and said internal safeguards are being strengthened.
Dozens of residents at the Whitefish City Council meeting on May 5 urged the council to review how Whitefish Police interact with U.S. Border Patrol after a recent traffic stop that led to an immigration detention.
Speakers said the incident has left immigrants and U.S.-born residents with brown skin fearful of routine encounters with law enforcement. "Today, my greatest fear is meeting law enforcement," resident Shannon told the council, adding she has lived in Whitefish for 24 years.
The comments followed an extended public-comment period in which local advocates described what they called an increase in local law enforcement calling Border Patrol. John Ratka Skinner, who said he is a personal sponsor for Renjifo del Castillo under a USCIS parole program, told council members that at the time of the stop the man had a Montana driver’s license, car insurance and a valid work permit. "There's really no reason for Whitefish police to…
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