Big Sky Immigration Legal Services & Advocacy

09/23/2026

Release from detention is not the end of an immigration case.

A federal judge has ordered the release of 24 individuals who were unlawfully detained in Cascade County. I am grateful to Upper Seven Law for their work challenging these detentions and advocating for due process.

But for many of these individuals, the immigration process continues.

Being released from detention does not mean that an immigration case is over. People may still have to appear before an immigration judge, understand complicated legal proceedings and deadlines, and determine whether they have a defense or form of immigration relief available to them.

Due process doesn't end at the jailhouse door. People need to understand their rights and have a meaningful opportunity to obtain legal representation as they navigate immigration court.

That's where Big Sky Immigration Legal Services & Advocacy comes in. We work with people throughout Montana who are navigating immigration court and other immigration matters -including people facing removal, seeking asylum, and dealing with detention.

The need for immigration legal services in Montana is overwhelming, and our capacity is limited.

If you believe people should have access to legal information and representation when facing an immigration case, please consider supporting our work. Your donation helps us provide legal services to people who otherwise may have nowhere to turn.

Upper Seven's work to secure release is an essential first step. Making sure people understand and can meaningfully participate in what comes next is another.

Please donate, share, or help connect someone in need with Big Sky Immigration.

A federal judge ordered immigration officials to release 24 individuals being unlawfully held in Cascade County.

08/07/2026

Beker Rengifo del Castillo breaks silence on Whitefish traffic stop that led to detainment https://dailyinterlake.com/news/2026/aug/02/beker-rengifo-del-castillo-breaks-silence-on-whitefish-traffic-stop-that-led-to-detainment/?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

Fifteen months have passed since Beker Renigfo del Castillo spent a week in federal detention following what seemed like a routine traffic stop in downtown Whitefish.

07/29/2026

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What does support for LOCAL IMMIGRATION SUPPORT mean?

Valley Neighbors provides a variety of support for local services. Today, our legal services coordinator sent off a pro se motion for a local immigrant to change their court district from Denver to Portland.

Why is this important? Ensuring that clients are designated under the correct immigration court reduces the risks associated with unnecessary and expensive travel. In today's example, the client has an upcoming in-person court obligation in Denver. Requesting a change to Portland potentially means being able to meet future court obligations by video-conference in lieu of dangerous in-person appearances.

This limited task-based interaction took 2.5 hours of prep/writing/printing time and .5 hours of mailing time. Cost for mailing, covered by Valley Neighbors, came to $73.61.

This interaction is aimed at reducing dangerous encounters with ICE/Border Patrol by seeking to eliminate travel and avoid the issuance of a deportation order for failing to appear in person.

07/10/2026

Lorenzo Salgado Araujo should still be alive.

This week, Mr. Araujo, husband, father, small business owner, and longtime member of his Houston community, was shot and killed by an ICE agent during an enforcement operation. Federal officials have acknowledged that he was not the intended target of the operation, and multiple investigations are now underway.

This tragedy comes amid growing concerns about increasingly aggressive immigration enforcement across the country. Communities from Minnesota to Texas are mourning lives lost, demanding accountability, and asking why families continue to bear the cost of policies that too often prioritize force over humanity.

Here in Montana, we are witnessing the impact firsthand. Following recent ICE operations in Gallatin County, families have reported being afraid to leave their homes, go to work, take their children to appointments, or even shop for groceries. Community organizations have mobilized to deliver food, diapers, and essential supplies to families sheltering in place because they fear being detained. That is not what a safe, healthy community looks like.

At the same time, deaths in ICE detention have reached their highest levels in decades. Every person in government custody has the right to safety, dignity, and due process. No one should die while awaiting their day in court. No family should lose a loved one because of an immigration enforcement action.

This is not what due process looks like.

Immigrants are our neighbors, coworkers, parents, business owners, students, and friends. They deserve to be treated with dignity and afforded the constitutional protections that are fundamental to justice.

Now is the time to stand with immigrant communities, not only in moments of tragedy, but every day.

If the recent events in Montana have moved you, now is the time to act. Support the organizations standing alongside immigrant families. Volunteer. Donate. Advocate. Together, we can build a Montana where every person is treated with dignity, humanity, and due process.

In Montana, we are grateful for organizations working every day to support immigrant families, including Bienvenidos a Gallatin Valley, Valley Neighbors, Soft Landing Missoula, Upper Seven Law, International Rescue Committee, and so many others whose work strengthens our communities.

Justice requires more than outrage. It requires action.

07/04/2026

Amazing work from
Upper Seven Law! Support their work and advocacy!

07/02/2026

Recent ICE enforcement actions in Gallatin County have left families separated, loved ones searching for answers, and many in our community living with fear and uncertainty.

If someone you know has been detained, don't wait to seek legal guidance.

At Big Sky Immigration, we are standing by to help families understand their options, locate detained loved ones when possible, and navigate the immigration system during this difficult time. If your family member, friend, neighbor, or employee has been affected, please contact us as soon as possible.

We also ask our community to come together. Please check in on your neighbors, share this post so it reaches families who may need legal support, and extend compassion to those who are hurting.

No one should have to face this alone.

Our hearts are with every family impacted by these enforcement actions. We are committed to serving the Gallatin Valley with compassion, urgency, and experienced legal advocacy.

📞 If you or someone you know needs help, contact Big Sky Immigration today.

If you'd like to support families affected by these recent detentions, we're accepting donations to help cover emergency legal services and community outreach. Every contribution helps ensure that families have access to timely legal information and support. Please contact us or visit our website to learn more (www.bigskyimmigration.org)

Las recientes acciones de cumplimiento migratorio de ICE en el condado de Gallatin han dejado a familias separadas, a seres queridos buscando respuestas y a muchas personas de nuestra comunidad viviendo con miedo e incertidumbre.

Si alguien que conoce ha sido detenido, no espere para buscar asesoría legal.

En Big Sky Immigration, estamos disponibles para ayudar a las familias a comprender sus opciones, localizar a sus seres queridos detenidos cuando sea posible y navegar el sistema de inmigración durante este momento tan difícil. Si un familiar, amigo, vecino o empleado suyo ha sido afectado, por favor comuníquese con nosotros lo antes posible.

También hacemos un llamado a nuestra comunidad para unirse. Apoye a sus vecinos, comparta esta publicación para que llegue a las familias que puedan necesitar ayuda legal y muestre solidaridad y compasión con quienes están sufriendo.

Nadie debería enfrentar esta situación solo.

Nuestros corazones están con cada familia afectada por estas acciones de cumplimiento migratorio. Estamos comprometidos a servir al Valle de Gallatin con compasión, sentido de urgencia y una representación legal con experiencia.

📞 Si usted o alguien que conoce necesita ayuda, comuníquese hoy mismo con Big Sky Immigration.

Si desea apoyar a las familias afectadas por estas recientes detenciones, estamos aceptando donaciones para ayudar a cubrir servicios legales de emergencia y actividades de alcance comunitario. Cada contribución ayuda a garantizar que las familias tengan acceso oportuno a información, apoyo y representación legal. Para obtener más información, comuníquese con nosotros o visite nuestro sitio web: www.bigskyimmigration.org.



https://www.montanarightnow.com/bozeman/reports-of-ice-in-bozeman/article_caee1dc1-cb30-4623-91db-3992146b3dc0.html

Bozeman, Mont. — Reports of immigration arrests in Bozeman have been circulating online.

06/05/2026

A little good news: A federal court has rejected USCIS policies that put immigration benefits on hold for people from countries affected by recent travel bans. The ruling affirms that immigration agencies cannot deny or delay benefits based solely on nationality. A meaningful victory for immigrant families and communities.

https://www.bigskyimmigration.org/inthenews/court-rejects-uscis-holds-on-immigration-benefits-for-nationals-of-travel-ban-countries

A little good news: A federal court has rejected USCIS policies that put immigration benefits on hold for people from countries affected by recent travel bans. The ruling affirms that immigration agencies cannot deny or delay benefits based solely on nationality. A meaningful victory for immigrant f

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, join us in celebrating community, connection, and support for immigrants and foreign nationals here in Montana. 🇺🇸

Access to trusted immigration legal services helps individuals and families feel secure, stay together, and build thriving lives in our communities.

Come out to GILD today to support Big Sky Immigration Legal Services & Advocacy! 🍻

This is a family-friendly event with face painting and balloon animals for the kids — so bring the whole crew and spend part of your holiday with us!

05/15/2026

https://montanafreepress.org/2026/05/14/roberto-orozco-ramirez-froid-judge-release/

Today, we celebrate a family being reunited. ❤️

After more than 100 days in detention, Roberto Orozco-Ramirez will finally return home to his wife, children, and community in Froid, Montana while he continues fighting his case here in the United States. A federal judge ruled that his continued detention was unlawful and ordered his release.

In his ruling, Chief Judge Brian Morris warned that:

“Such indifference from the executive branch to the Constitution’s guarantee of freedom from arbitrary confinement represents grave cause for concern.”

The judge also called the government’s interpretation of immigration law “erroneous” and reaffirmed that people accused of immigration violations still have a right to due process.

Roberto’s case is not happening in isolation.

Across Montana and throughout the United States, we are seeing a growing number of immigrants detained for prolonged periods, often far from their families, communities, and legal support systems. Detention has become increasingly normalized, even when courts later determine that confinement was unlawful.

This moment is a reminder that behind every immigration case is a human being: a parent, a worker, a neighbor, a coach, a member of our communities.

We remain committed to advocating for dignity, fairness, and due process for all immigrants facing detention.

Judge sides with Roberto Orozco-Ramirez, an undocumented immigrant from rural Montana, calling Trump administration’s interpretation of the longstanding immigration law “erroneous”

05/10/2026

Immigration is not just a human issue - it’s an economic one.

As new reporting from Marketplace highlights, fewer immigrants and increased outmigration have lasting impacts on our workforce, healthcare system, local businesses, and communities.

Immigrants contribute, build, care for families, pay taxes, and strengthen our economy every day. Policies rooted in fear and exclusion affect all of us.



The Marketplace piece discusses how immigrants are a major part of the labor force in construction, agriculture, and healthcare, and how declining immigration can have long-term economic effects.

The U.S. is on track to lose more immigrants than it gains in 2026. That means fewer workers paying taxes, building homes, growing food, and caring for an aging population.