This story was adapted from The Arrest That Shook Froid newsletter.
On May 14, amid a dust storm in northeast Montana, Main Street in Froid was filled with cars as residents awaited Roberto Orozco-Ramirez’s return. After over 100 days in various detention centers, Orozco-Ramirez was back in the community that discovered his undocumented status only recently. A federal judge ordered his release, siding with his lawyers against the detention by ICE and other agencies.
Liz Melbourne of Brockton, standing by her car, expressed the area’s support, saying, “This is going to be talked about for years. I want my kids to be able to say, ‘My mom did something. She showed up.’”
Laura Christoffersen, Orozco-Ramirez’s lawyer, arrived in Froid with Orozco-Ramirez sitting quietly in the back seat, wearing jeans and a gray sweater. Escorted by a parade led by Marvin Qualley in a firetruck, their arrival was marked with community cheers and honking cars. At the end of the street, Orozco-Ramirez reunited with his sons outside their home.
Orozco-Ramirez stood waving to passing neighbors, while his community shouted, “Welcome home, Roberto!” as cars paraded by.
Orozco Lazcano, Orozco-Ramirez’s 19-year-old son, thanked Christoffersen, his father’s advocate. She had no prior immigration law experience but stepped in to help alongside a California immigration lawyer. Orozco Lazcano expressed gratitude, saying, “I’m so freaking happy right now.”
In a conversation the next day, Orozco-Ramirez shared his experience of being transferred between detention facilities, often without notice. He described contemplating “self-deporting” due to diminishing hope, citing community support as pivotal to staying.
Orozco-Ramirez highlighted that support from Froid made him resist self-deportation. The community raised funds and attended court hearings, advocating for his freedom. Returning to Froid allows him to continue running Orozco Diesel, his established business, as undocumented immigrants can legally own businesses in the U.S.
Immigration courts handle cases separately from criminal courts. Despite dropped criminal charges, Orozco-Ramirez may still face immigration court proceedings. His 19-year-old son plans to petition for his permanent resident status once he turns 21.
Orozco-Ramirez emphasized the diverse experiences of immigrants in Montana, pointing out that immigration rhetoric often generalizes and stereotypes individuals.
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