Diesel mechanic released after 109 days in detention, judge rejects Trump administration detention policy
May 15, 2026 · Great Falls, MT, Mexico

Roberto Orozco-Ramirez, a diesel mechanic from Froid, Montana, was arrested by Border Patrol on January 25, 2026, on illegal re-entry charges. After the government dropped the felony charge in April 2026, he remained detained for over 100 days under the Trump administration's expanded mandatory detention policy for undocumented immigrants. On May 14-15, 2026, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Brian Morris ruled that Orozco-Ramirez's continued detention violated due process and constitutional rights, finding the administration's mandatory detention interpretation erroneous. The judge ordered his immediate release from the Cascade County Detention Center. Orozco-Ramirez, a father of four U.S. citizen children with no criminal record, had built a successful diesel repair business after living in the United States for 25 years.
Timeline
Sources
More incidents in Montana
- 9-year-old with special medical needs held at Montana Border Patrol station, lawyers sayAug 11, 2026 · Billings, MT
- Federal judge orders release of man unlawfully detained by CBP in MontanaJul 30, 2026 · Lewistown, MT
- 100+ detained in multi-day ICE enforcement sweep across Gallatin CountyJul 1, 2026 · Gallatin County, MT
- ICE agent draws gun on mother near school during enforcement operation in BozemanJul 1, 2026 · Bozeman, MT
- Bozeman caregiver detained over 24 hours by ICE, fights arrest in federal courtJul 1, 2026 · Bozeman, MT
- ICE operations detain roughly 150 in Gallatin County, terrorize Latino communityJun 29, 2026 · Bozeman, MT