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Diesel mechanic freed after 109 days in ICE detention, judge rejects Trump detention policy

May 15, 2026·Location: Great Falls, MT

Country of origin: Mexico

Diesel mechanic freed after 109 days in ICE detention, judge rejects Trump detention policy
Photo via montanafreepress.org

Roberto Orozco-Ramirez, an undocumented Mexican immigrant who had lived in Froid, Montana for 25 years and built a successful diesel repair business, was arrested by Border Patrol agents on January 25, 2026, after they staked out his home. He was charged with illegal reentry, but the government dropped that charge in April 2026, and he remained detained under the Trump administration's expanded mandatory detention policy for undocumented immigrants. Orozco-Ramirez is a father of four U.S. citizen children with no criminal record. The small, conservative town of Froid organized community fundraisers to support his family during his detention. On May 14-15, 2026, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Brian Morris ruled that his continued detention was unlawful, finding the administration's interpretation of mandatory detention law erroneous and in violation of due process and constitutional rights, and ordered his immediate release from the Cascade County Detention Center.

Timeline

May 15, 2026—Ordered released from Cascade County Detention Center after 109 days in custody
May 14, 2026—Chief Judge Brian Morris ruled continued detention unlawful, rejecting the administration's detention policy interpretation and citing due process violations
Apr 1, 2026—Government dropped the illegal reentry charge, but he remained detained under mandatory detention policy
Jan 25, 2026—Roberto Orozco-Ramirez turned himself in to Border Patrol agents after they staked out his home; charged with illegal reentry
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