Three Arrested for Blocking Border Patrol Vehicle Outside Whitefish Facility

In Whitefish, Montana, three protesters were arrested for blocking a U.S. Border Patrol vehicle attempting to leave the federal facility on Highway 93, after repeatedly being warned by police not to obstruct vehicle traffic. The protesters linked arms to stop the vehicle, which they believed was transporting a detained mother and her teenage daughter from the Border Patrol station to an ICE detention center. The mother and daughter had been detained following a traffic accident in Evergreen, though they were not involved in the crash, raising concerns among local activists about the reasons for their detainment and potential language barriers affecting their legal rights. The Whitefish Police Department emphasized its support for peaceful protests but noted that obstructing roadways violates city ordinances and state laws. Additionally, there are reports under investigation that a protester threw plywood at a Border Patrol vehicle. The situation has drawn attention to an apparent increase in local immigration enforcement actions, including detainment of women and minors, prompting community protests and calls for clarity on enforcement policies.