‘We’re listening’: Helena mayor defends police after ICE arrest, says city to act within limits

Nearly a week after a Helena man was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Mayor Wilmot Collins asked Helenans to “not lose compassion” for its police force.

“I understand the immense frustration and fear that many of our residents feel about what transpired,” Collins said at Monday's City Commission meeting. “The facts about what happened and the role of the Helena Police Department doesn’t change the circumstances for Mr. Martinez and his family. But I do believe it is important to reiterate what occurred with our police officers.”

Helena man Christopher Martinez, 31, was detained by ICE after a July 1 traffic stop with Helena police.

He entered the United States from Mexico in 2008 with his parents when he was around 14 years old, according to legal documents filed July 1 with the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana.

He returned to Mexico with his wife Maria Pacheco, and then came back to Helena sometime after, documents state.

Pacheco and their four children are all U.S. citizens, Pacheco told the Independent Record. Martinez is a citizen of Mexico.

In his speech, Collins stressed that HPD did not plan an immigration raid. ICE agents notified HPD they had potentially located a suspect, and HPD held a traffic stop. Federal agents were present, he said.

Martinez was determined to not be the suspect, and HPD began writing a traffic ticket that wasn’t issued.

“It was during this time that federal agents notified our officers that they would be detaining the driver,” Collins said. “HPD did not arrest or transport Mr. Martinez. Neither our officers, or the City’s elected officials, have authority or jurisdiction to obstruct the work of the federal government.”

He said he felt deep respect for the HPD officials who were serving the city in an “incredibly complex and challenging situation.”

“We are in a challenging time, and I understand the frustration that many of our residents feel,” he continued. “But I urge you to not lose compassion for our neighbors, which includes the members of our police department.”

Collins’ statement comes after nearly a week of vocal protest, including a Saturday rally and 80 minutes of public comment at a July 3 County Commission meeting.

In an impromptu press conference held the day of Martinez’s arrest, Collins told the public, “I'm saying that HPD is not coordinating with ICE on this arrest.”

At Monday’s City Commission meeting, 40 public commenters called for Collins and commissioners to reevaluate HPD’s role with federal agents.

One person asked for specific accounting of HPD’s work with ICE, including hours spent looking for ICE suspects.

Multiple public commenters warned this arrest tore at Helena’s trust in its police force.

Former city and state employee Gus Byrom asked if Martinez would’ve been treated this way a year ago.

Tatianna Peck said she had neighbors picking up groceries for her family members who feared ICE detainment.

“None of this keeps us safe,” Peck said. “The point is cruelty.”

Some targeted Collins specifically.

“Mr. Collins, I was disheartened to read your comment,” Kylie Stubbs said.

As a person of color and an immigrant, she said she expected Collins to care more about people like Martinez. Collins was a refugee from Liberia who arrived in the United States in 1994.

After over an hour of public comment, Collins took a deep breath and let the chamber sit in silence.

“We appreciate all the comments,” he said after a pause. “I want you to know we are listening.”

The city would do what it could within its authority, he said, just before adjourning the meeting. Afterwards, he spoke privately with Pacheco.

The mayor’s full statement can be found here.

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