· Flathead Beacon · By Justin Franz · From the Border Crossing Law Firm media archive.
The Flathead Beacon reports that the ACLU of Montana and Border Crossing Law Firm sued Lincoln County Sheriff Roby Bowe for keeping Agustin Ramon jailed under an ICE detainer after he was prepared to post bond. The lawyers argued that a federal civil request did not give a Montana sheriff authority to continue custody; Bowe dismissed the suit and said he would do whatever ICE asked.
The case directly tested whether local loyalty to federal immigration enforcement could override Montana arrest law. Shahid's position was simple and public-facing: immigrants must be released after posting bond on the same terms as anyone else.