Another lawsuit has been added to an ongoing saga concerning the handling of traffic stops involving immigrants in the Flathead Valley.

Filed in Lewis and Clark County District Court Tuesday, a new lawsuit brought forth by local nonprofit Valley Neighbors asks the state to permanently enjoin House Bill 278, a piece of legislation that allows law enforcement officers to check immigration status during a lawful stop and requires them to report anyone with an illegal immigration status to a federal immigration agency.

“HB 278 authorizes warrantless arrests for non-jailable offenses and deprives individuals of constitutional protections relying on their national origin and race,” the suit’s text states. “The Court should declare HB 278 unconstitutional and enjoin its enforcement.”

State Rep

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