Despite Pleas From Yellowstone County Residents, Commissioners Won’t Rescind Letter
Commissioners made no comment on offer to let federal government use MetraPark as a detention facility for immigrants
By Jenna Martin for the Daily Montanan
Two weeks ago, they were outraged. At the last meeting, residents who testified at the Yellowstone County Commissioners meeting were organized and had another demand: Rescind the letter.
The letter was one authored by the commission chairman, Mark Morse, who offered the expansive recreation grounds and buildings of MetraPark in the heart of Montana’s largest county to federal authorities as a detention facility if it needs space for detaining immigrants. The letter has spurred a flood of media attention and outrage, but all three of the Republican commissioners have remained supportive of the invitation.
“I come here again today as a concerned citizen of Billings to strongly and forcibly oppose the use of the MetraPark facilities to warehouse undocumented immigrants by ICE,” said resident Will Ryerson, who testified against the letter on Monday. “And I urge you to withdraw your letter considering such a proposal.”
“Many years ago we said not in our town, and this is again a time when we can say not in our town,” said resident Sister Mary Dostal. “I hope you will consider rescinding your decision.”
Resident Penny Struckman was more direct: “You put out a bad idea. You overstepped and I urge you to back off your proposal.”
In the three commissioner meetings held during the week of January 27, there have been more than 70 testimonies against the letter, with only two in support. At Friday’s special meeting, there were no community members present who expressed support of the commissioners’ letter.
“Is there anyone here in favor of this?” resident Martha Rhoades called to the gallery between comments, answered by a scattering of “no’s.”
“Ma’am, we’re running a meeting here,” Morse said. “You’ve been up here, you’ve made your comment. Please refrain.”
“Should places like Nile or Montana Fair have to find another venue for as long as the MetraPark is a detention center, they may never come back to Billings,” said Rhoades. “They would be a permanent loss that would massively affect our economy.”
Business owner Marguerite Jodry, who owns Zest in downtown Billings, seconded the sentiment.
“I made the choice to put my business downtown for several reasons, but one of them is the proximity to MetraPark, to the events that happen there, to the foot traffic that is generated by that facility,” she said.
MetraPark’s impact on the surrounding community is substantial. A recent study commissioned by the MetraPark Advisory Board found that MetraPark brought in $110.7 million to the local Yellowstone County economy, providing 2,604 jobs and pulling in $68.3 million in labor, $27.5 million in capital income and $14.8 million in indirect business taxes and fees.
In the 2022-2023, MetraPark hosted 388 events, with more than 819,000 guests, 37.8% of whom estimated to be visitors from outside the county. Those guests brought in more than $5 million for “food and beverage stores,” $12 million for restaurants; $19 million for hotels and motels, and $24 million for “miscellaneous services.
The top event of the year was the PBR (the Nile Professional Bull Riders Series), which brought in more than $219,000 in revenue. The Nile Livestock Show brought in more than $93,000.
“I do not see how a detention center is going to replace that for people like me and my employees who rely upon that income in our community,” continued Jodry.
“Clearly Yellowstone County taxpayers are at risk for an enormous ongoing and probably increasing cost here,” said resident Elizabeth Halverson, referencing money still owed to the Billings Police Department from President Trump’s campaign, and the federal government’s recent freeze of funds already approved by Congress. While the freeze was rescinded, many programs and departments relying on those funds remain in limbo.
“What is to stop them from promising money to Yellowstone County and backing out?” Halverson asked. “That is a real concern.”
While the commissioners have remained firm in previous comments that federal use of the Metra would not be a burden on Yellowstone County taxpayers, Montana State Code lists a number of options for establishing and running a detention center within the county. In one scenario, the county government must establish the position of a detention center administrator, and either hire someone to this position or appoint the existing sheriff to this position; both cases would require the use of taxpayer dollars. Another other option is to enter into an agreement with a private party, but this does not absolve Yellowstone County of additional duties that it cannot delegate to any other party.
“We’re so early in this process it’s hard for me to foresee all responsibilities of the county,” said Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito. “If the federal government reached out and said this is what we’re looking for, the first thing we would do is put it on public discussion. That includes public comment, that includes contract review by legal departments, there would be a complete analysis of that, the analysis of costs, responsibility, duties; all of that would be vetted.”
Halverson also inquired about additional personnel requirements, a question made even muddier by a newly introduced legislative bill that would change how county and city law enforcement would be used in immigration related cases. While Montana Highway Patrol is not currently responsible for determining immigration status, as it is not a federal law enforcement agency, House Bill 278, introduced by Billings Republican Representative Nelly Nicols, would require peace officers to “check and report the immigration status of a person during a lawful stop.” Montana Police Protective Association member Shelby Demars already expressed concerns that the bill would have unintended consequences for officers.
“It’s virtually impossible to speculate what the federal government will or won’t do,” said Twito, a Republican himself. “If any of this comes to pass, that’s an opportunity for my legal team to ask the questions that need to be asked, just as we do with any contract negotiation process.”
Twito made clear the letter is not a legally binding document, and at this point is more “an invitation to have a discussion about the possible use of the Metra.”
Though for many commenters, the invitation itself is the problem.
“To answer your question on why people are so upset over a ‘proposal’ or ‘just a letter,’ it’s the very idea of holding people in the same facility where we auction off livestock and not seeing the humility of that,” said resident Angus Olson. “And not seeing how awful of an idea that is, is astounding.”
“I would like to remind you that you were elected by the residents of Yellowstone County to represent us, and I think that the residents of Yellowstone County are here telling you how we feel,” said resident Juanita Rathbun. “Everyone who has spoken today has asked you to rescind that letter. It’s your responsibility to respect the wishes of the people you were elected to represent.”
For Nancy Van Maren, who runs Nations to Neighbors Montana, a Christian non-profit that helps refugees integrate into the community, the idea that immigrants are not a crucial part of Billings’ identity is unacceptable.
“There is a great deal of support for refugees in this community, a great deal of support, and there are a lot of people doing a lot of wonderful things for them,” she said, describing the more than 100 volunteers that work with her non-profit, most of whom as part of their various faith organizations. “I know a number of immigrants personally, and I think that if you were to meet them you would see just what amazing people they really are.”
All three commissioners declined to comment on Friday’s meeting.
Morse pulled a shameful stunt that was pure political theater. All hat and no cattle, as we say.