Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen led a coalition of 22 state attorneys general in urging Congress to pass the Secure America Act, legislation that would provide long-term, stable funding for U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In a letter addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Knudsen and the coalition asked Congress to advance the legislation through budget reconciliation — a streamlined process that allows budget-related bills to pass with a simple majority — and send it promptly to President Trump for his signature.
The push comes after Senate Democrats earlier this year blocked funding for CBP and ICE, triggering a 76-day lapse in funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Knudsen and his coalition argued that federal immigration agencies should not be used as political bargaining chips and must have consistent, reliable resources to carry out their missions.
“Thanks to President Trump’s decisive leadership and the extraordinary dedication of CBP and ICE personnel, our southern border is now the most secure it has ever been,” Knudsen said. “We urge our Republican colleagues in Congress to ensure robust funding for CBP and ICE through the remainder of President Trump’s term — and to act now.”
The letter cited the agencies’ critical role in protecting Americans from violent criminals, combating drug trafficking and strengthening border security as key reasons for passing the legislation through the current reconciliation process.
Knudsen has been among the most aggressive state attorneys general in supporting federal immigration enforcement. In February 2025, he signed a 287(g) agreement with the Trump Administration to assist in immigration enforcement and deportation efforts. He also invoked supervisory control over Gallatin County Auditor Audrey Cromwell after she refused to issue a memorandum clarifying that the county may share confidential criminal justice information with ICE for civil immigration enforcement purposes.
Earlier this year, Knudsen launched an investigation into the Helena City Commission after it passed a resolution that would have barred local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration authorities — a measure the attorney general said violated state law. Helena city commissioners subsequently rescinded the resolution following Knudsen’s intervention.