Illegals

by Sen. Bob Phalen, SD 17, Glendive

Governor Greg Gianforte made Montanans proud by joining with standout conservative leaders like Ron DeSantis in sending our national guard troops not overseas, but to our very own border to assist federal Border Patrol when they were overwhelmed under the Biden administration.  Likewise, President Trump has been a leader on border security, inside and outside the country. So it was to my great sadness when a group of 12 Republican House members made a deal with Democrats to create a loophole by which illegal immigrants in Montana could receive driving privilege cards, even though Montana law forbids people in this country illegally from receiving driving licenses.

And this bill, HB 275 from 2025 sponsored by liberal Bozeman Democrat Rep. Ed Staffman, wasn’t the only immigration bill on which this group of legislators chose to defy the governor and, even more importantly, their constituents, by teaming with Democrats to cut a virtual hole in the border fence. Several representatives from this same group joined with Democrats to oppose requiring e-verify usage by businesses, this time SB 329, creating a loophole by which illegal immigrants can take Montana jobs, because nobody is forced to check. Three representatives, David Bedey, John Fitzpatrick and Ken Walsh, voted against working Montanans on both bills. Flathead area Rep. Linda Reksten also sided twice with illegal immigrants in House floor votes.

Montanans believe in a strong, safe border, and have consistently voted for leaders who do as well, from our Governor to our President and all of our federal Representatives. We need to make sure our state representation takes this to heart. Governing Montana means letting your Representative know what you stand for, and therefore what they must stand for in Helena. We are in this together.