ACLU suing northwest Montana county for denying bail to immigrant held on ICE detainer

November 1, 2018

LIBBY – The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is currently facing a lawsuit from the ACLU and the ACLU of Montana regarding a current inmate at the Lincoln County Detention Center.

Agustin Ramon, a dual citizen of France and Mexico, was arrested on Aug. 3 for a criminal burglary charge and his bond was posted at $25,000.

The ACLU lawsuit says that when Ramon tried to pay his bond he was told that because of an ICE detainer Lincoln County could not release him.

Once an immigrant posts bond, the ACLU of Montana argues that the immigrant must be released, according to state law.

They argue that Lincoln County Sheriff Roby Bowe must act within state law and the ACLU of Montana hopes that the class-action lawsuit will end the use of ICE detainers in Lincoln County and around the state.

The ACLU also hopes that the lawsuit will bring compensation for Ramon’s false imprisonment.

The Lincoln County Detention Center confirmed that they do have Ramon in their custody and that he is being held on a $25,000 bail for a criminal burglary charge and a border patrol hold.

Lincoln County Sheriff Roby Bowe could not be reached for comment.

Story by Connor McCauley, MTN News

https://ktvq.com/news/montana-news/2...-ice-detainer/