Immigrants’ Rights

Upholding the rights of immigrants is important to us all, not just to citizens. The ACLU of Montana works to protect immigrants' rights by opposing state legislation and policies that discriminate against immigrants, providing public education devoted to immigrants' rights, and more.

Statue of Liberty

What you need to know

2%

As of 2023, 2.2% of Montanans, or almost 25,000 people, were foreign-born

79%

As of 2018, more than 80% of Montana immigrants have a high-school diploma or higher

$37.4 million

Immigrants contributed more than $300 million in economic benefits to the Bozeman area economy in 2022, with even more across the rest of Montana

Upholding the rights of immigrants is important to us all. The fundamental constitutional protections of due process and equal protection apply to every "person" and are not limited to citizens. When the government has the power to deny legal rights and due process to one vulnerable group, everyone’s rights are at risk.

The ACLU of Montana works to protect immigrants' rights by opposing state legislation to discriminate against immigrants, providing public education devoted to immigrants' rights, and working through legal channels.

Additional Resources

ACLU Immigrants' Rights Project

The Latest

Press Release
Placeholder image

ACLU of MT files suit challenging Federal Government’s termination of student visas at Montana State University  

The ACLU of Montana filed suit on behalf of two Montana State University graduate students who had their F-1 student immigration status unlawfully and abruptly terminated by the Trump administration.
Issue Areas: Immigrants’ Rights
News & Commentary
The back of a police vest reads "Police ICE"

ICE Program Foments Abuse, Hatred, and Fear — and Makes Us All Less Safe

A new ACLU report on the 287(g) program’s harmful partnerships with local sheriffs reveals racist abuses and no accountability.
News & Commentary
Placeholder image

Customs and Border Protection Settles Federal Lawsuit with American Citizens Racially Profiled and Unlawfully Detained for Speaking Spanish

Ana Suda and Martha “Mimi” Hernandez, two American citizens detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for speaking Spanish while shopping at a local convenience store in Havre, Montana, have reached a settlement in their lawsuit against the Trump administration. Their lawsuit brought to light systemic racism on the northern border.
News & Commentary
Image of ACLU team at MSC Jan 8 argument with Victory graphic

In a Victory for Immigrants, Montana Supreme Court Limits Local Arrest Authority

Today, the Montana Supreme Court ruled in favor of Agustin Ramon, who was held by the Lincoln County Detention Center pursuant to a federal immigration detainer.  The lawsuit, filed by the ACLU of Montana, ACLU, and Border Crossing Law Firm, effectively ends the ability of state and local police and sheriffs in Montana to hold people based on federal immigration detainers. 
Court Case
Apr 14, 2025

Roe v. Noem

This case is on behalf of two Montana State University graduate students who had their F-1 student immigration status unlawfully and abruptly terminated by the Trump administration.
Court Case
Mar 26, 2021

State of Arizona, et al. vs United States Department of Homeland Security, et al.

Court Case
Oct 31, 2018

Ramon v. Lincoln County

Court Case
Feb 24, 2019

Soto-Lopez v. Gallatin County