Mechanic Roberto Orozco-Ramirez Walks Free After More than 100 Days in Jail on Immigration Charges
The ruling found his detention unlawful and ordered release within 24 hours after the government dropped the illegal re-entry charge.
- On Thursday, diesel mechanic Roberto Orozco-Ramirez walked free from the Cascade County Detention Center after more than 100 days in custody, following a federal judge's order that his detention was unlawful.
- Orozco-Ramirez had been arrested by Border Patrol on January 25, 2026, and remained detained for a month after prosecutors dropped his illegal re-entry charge on April 13.
- In a Wednesday ruling, U.S. District Court for the District of Montana Chief Judge Brian Morris called the Trump administration's interpretation of immigration law "erroneous" and said people accused of illegal entry have a right to due process.
- Orozco-Ramirez's 19-year-old son, Roberto Orozco-Lazcano, awaited his father outside the facility Thursday morning, while Froid residents had raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Little League coach's legal defense.
- While many celebrated the release, critics questioned Orozco-Ramirez's immigration approach, with one commenter asking "why didn't they come here the legal way?" on social media.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Associated Press News
Mechanic Roberto Orozco-Ramirez walks free after more than 100 days in jail on immigration charges
A federal judge in Great Falls ruled to release Froid diesel mechanic Roberto Orozco-Ramirez from jail on Wednesday evening, siding with his lawyers on their argument that his continued detention was unlawful.
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Montana State ExponentFroid mechanic Roberto Orozco-Ramirez free after 100-plus days in jail on immigration charges
Judge called Trump administration’s interpretation of the longstanding immigration law “erroneous.”
Montana judge rules to release Froid mechanic after 109 days in detention
This story was last updated at 2:00 p.m. on May 14, 2026. GREAT FALLS – A federal judge in Great Falls ruled to release Froid diesel mechanic Roberto Orozco-Ramirez from jail on Wednesday evening, siding with his lawyers on their argument that his continued detention was unlawful. On Thursday around 10:50 a.m., after more than 100 days behind bars, Orozco-Ramirez walked out of the Cascade County Detention Center and embraced his oldest son. Bot…
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