Bozeman caregiver detained over 24 hours by ICE, fights arrest in federal court
Jul 1, 2026·Location: Bozeman, MT

David Cortes-Torres, a 20-year-old man and primary caregiver for his grandmother who is undergoing cancer treatment, was detained by ICE agents in Bozeman on Monday. According to a federal habeas corpus petition filed by Upper Seven Law, agents held him for more than 24 hours at Helena Airport in a small holding room with over 15 other people, pressured him to voluntarily leave the country, and limited his attorney contact to a single three-minute phone call. His lawyers allege the arrest was part of an operation targeting Latinos in the area, and a federal judge ordered him to remain in Montana pending a hearing set for the following Tuesday.
Sources
- Bozeman caregiver fights ICE arrest after agents reportedly detained him for more than 24 hours
KBZK·Jul 3, 2026·archived copy
- Petition challenges ICE arresting 20-year-old Bozeman man
- Montana law firm defending detained man speaks out after ICE arrest in Bozeman
KXLH·Jul 7, 2026·archived copy
- Caution grips Gallatin Co. Latino community after immigration enforcement operations
montanafreepress.org·Jul 7, 2026·archived copy
- Bozeman man held near Helena airport after Gallatin County ICE operation; legal petition filed
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