BIGFORK, MT — On March 4, 2025, 17 undocumented immigrants were taken into custody during an operation led by ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in collaboration with Spokane Border Patrol. The operation took place at a construction site in Bigfork, following a tip that prompted federal authorities to investigate the worksite.
HSI agents served a notice of inspection at the location, which resulted in the discovery of the individuals in question. According to reports, all 17 individuals were found to be ineligible to remain in the United States and were subsequently detained.
Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino confirmed that his department was not involved in the operation, emphasizing that ICE typically runs these operations independently and relies on civil warrants rather than coordination with local law enforcement.
The operation underscores the ongoing efforts by federal agencies to enforce immigration laws, particularly in sectors like construction, where undocumented workers may be employed. Despite the operation’s scale, local authorities, including Sheriff Heino, maintain that ICE has its own system for managing such actions.
The raid is part of a broader trend of heightened immigration enforcement in the region, with local communities often caught in the balance between federal immigration policies and the role of local law enforcement in supporting or distancing themselves from federal operations.
