Montana: Resources for ICE Detainees

This guide is for people detained by ICE in Montana and for their families. Montana has one ICE-contracted county jail: the Cascade County Detention Center in Great Falls - the only Montana jail authorized to hold ICE detainees for longer than 72 hours. The facility typically holds a small number of ICE detainees at a time, ranging from 6 to 12. Most people arrested by ICE in Montana are transferred to the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington within days. Montana falls under the ICE Salt Lake City Field Office, with a sub-office in Helena (appointments Tuesday-Thursday, 10 AM-1 PM). IMPORTANT NAMING NOTE: 'Camp East Montana' - which appears in ICE's detention facility list and the ICE Detainee Locator - is NOT in Montana state. It is a large tent detention facility at Fort Bliss Army base in El Paso, Texas, named after Montana Avenue in El Paso. If the ICE Detainee Locator shows 'Camp East Montana,' your family member is in El Paso, Texas - see the Texas article in this series. Immigration legal resources in Montana are limited; the Montana Immigrant Justice Alliance (MIJA) and the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana are the primary advocacy organizations. Last verified: June 2026.

IMPORTANT: 'Camp East Montana' Is in Texas, Not Montana State

The ICE Detainee Locator and ICE facility list include a facility called 'Camp East Montana' or 'ERO El Paso Camp East Montana.' This facility is at Fort Bliss Army base in El Paso, Texas - not in the state of Montana. The name comes from Montana Avenue in El Paso. If you search the ICE Detainee Locator and see 'Camp East Montana' as the location, your family member is in El Paso, Texas - approximately 2,000 miles from Montana state. For that facility, see the Texas article in this series. The El Paso ICE field office contact is: ElPaso.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov | (915) 225-0255. Camp East Montana phone: (915) 208-0980.

Step 1: Find Your Family Member - Right Now

ICE Online Detainee Locator: locator.ice.gov

You need: the person's full legal name, date of birth, and country of birth - OR their A-Number (Alien Registration Number). Montana ICE detainees are frequently transferred to Tacoma, Washington quickly. If nothing appears in the locator, call ICE Helena sub-office and Cascade County Detention Center.

ICE Detention Reporting and Information Line: 1-888-351-4024 (toll-free)

EOIR Immigration Court Case Status: 1-800-898-7180

ICE Helena Sub-Office (covers Montana): SaltLakeCity.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov | Appointments Tuesday-Thursday 10 AM-1 PM

ICE Salt Lake City Field Office (covers Montana, Idaho, Nevada): (801) 886-7400 | SaltLakeCity.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov

Cascade County Detention Center (Great Falls): (406) 454-6820

If 'Camp East Montana' appears in the locator: Your family member is in El Paso, Texas at Fort Bliss. Call (915) 208-0980. See the Texas article in this series.

Step 2: Where ICE Detainees Are Held

Cascade County Detention Center - Great Falls (Only Montana ICE Facility)

3800 Ulm North Frontage Road, Great Falls, MT 59405

Phone: (406) 454-6820

ICE case information: SaltLakeCity.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov

Rate: $115 per detainee per day (per CBP contract formalized October 2025)

Cascade County Detention Center in Great Falls is the only county jail in Montana authorized to hold ICE detainees for longer than 72 hours under a contract in place since 2021. The facility typically holds a small number of ICE detainees - usually 6 to 12 people labeled 'ICE - immigration inmate' on the jail roster, though it can be slightly higher at times. The jail has a total capacity of 372 and typically holds approximately 305-365 total inmates and detainees including federal criminal cases through the US Marshals.

The county earns approximately $115 per ICE detainee per day - $55 more per day than state inmates, which Sheriff Jesse Slaughter cited as the primary reason for the contract. A CBP contract formalized in October 2025 runs through September 29, 2026 with options for renewal. Community members and faith leaders have appeared at county commission meetings to oppose the county's role in federal immigration enforcement.

Visiting: Contact the Cascade County Detention Center at (406) 454-6820 for current visiting hours, schedule, and registration requirements. Great Falls is in central Montana, approximately 90 miles east of the Continental Divide.

Mail: Contact the facility at (406) 454-6820 for current mailing address and procedures for ICE detainees.

Important: Montana arrests frequently transfer quickly. A detainee documented in a Montana Free Press case was transferred from Cascade County to the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington after his immigration hearing in Missoula. Track location using the ICE Detainee Locator daily.

Primary Transfer Destination

Northwest ICE Processing Center - Tacoma, Washington

1623 East J Street, Tacoma, WA 98421 - (253) 779-6000

Operated by GEO Group. Montana ICE detainees are frequently transferred here after initial processing and immigration hearings. See the Washington article in this series for full communication and legal service details. Bond posts at ICE ERO Seattle: 1000 Second Avenue, Suite 2900, Seattle, WA 98104.

Phone: GTL/ConnectNetwork - connectnetwork.com

Legal visits: (253) 779-6000

Mail: [Name + A-Number], Northwest ICE Processing Center, 1623 East J Street, Tacoma, WA 98421

Step 3: Get Legal Help

Montana has very limited immigration legal infrastructure. The Montana Immigrant Justice Alliance (MIJA) is the primary statewide advocacy organization. For detained individuals, legal help requires reaching organizations that can serve remotely or appear in Missoula or Great Falls immigration court.

Montana Immigrant Justice Alliance (MIJA)

montanaimmigrant.org | Missoula

MIJA is the primary statewide immigrant rights and legal services organization in Montana. Contact MIJA for legal referrals, Know Your Rights information, and community support for detained individuals and their families. MIJA advocates at the state level and provides community education.

ACLU of Montana

aclumontana.org | Helena and Missoula - The ACLU of Montana has been active on immigration enforcement issues in Montana, including challenging detention practices. Contact for civil rights concerns and referrals.

Public Defender - Montana

Note: Immigration detainees do not have a constitutional right to a government-appointed attorney in civil removal proceedings. However, if there are criminal charges involved, the public defender system applies. Contact MIJA for immigration-specific referrals.

Volunteers of America Montana - Immigration Services

voamt.org - Missoula - Provides some immigration case assistance. Contact for referrals.

University of Montana Immigration Clinic

University of Montana Alexander Blewett III School of Law - Contact the law school for current immigration clinic availability.

For detainees transferred to Tacoma, WA

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP): nwirp.org | (206) 957-8611 - Primary legal resource for the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma. Contact immediately if a family member is transferred there.

EOIR Pro Bono List

Cascade County Detention Center is required to post a pro bono legal service list in housing units. Ask your family member to request the list and contact providers through the facility phone.

Immigration Advocates Network

immigrationadvocates.org - National searchable directory; search by Montana or by Washington state for Tacoma.

Step 4: Bond - How to Get Someone Released

Montana falls under the ICE Salt Lake City Field Office and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Ninth Circuit has been more favorable on bond eligibility than the Fifth or Eighth Circuits (which cover the South and Midwest). An attorney can evaluate bond options for Montana detainees.

Bond posting for Montana detainees

Bond for Montana ICE detainees is posted at the ICE ERO Salt Lake City Field Office - or at ICE ERO Seattle if the detainee has been transferred to Tacoma:

ICE ERO Salt Lake City: 2975 Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City, UT 84119 | (801) 886-7400

ICE ERO Seattle (for Tacoma detainees): 1000 Second Avenue, Suite 2900, Seattle, WA 98104 | (206) 835-0600

Payment: Money order, cashier's check, or certified check payable to 'Department of Homeland Security.' Bring the detainee's full name, A-Number, and bond order.

A licensed immigration bond agent can post bond electronically for a fee.

Bond Funds

National Immigrant Bond Fund

immigrantbondfund.org - National fund; requires family contribution.

Montana mutual aid

Contact MIJA at montanaimmigrant.org for current Montana-specific bond assistance resources.

Step 5: Communication at Cascade County Detention Center

Cascade County Detention Center is a county jail - communication procedures follow county jail rules rather than dedicated ICE facility standards.

Phone: Contact the facility at (406) 454-6820 for current phone system and prepaid account procedures. Detainees typically cannot receive incoming calls.

Visiting: Contact (406) 454-6820 for current visiting hours and registration requirements. Confirm before traveling - Great Falls is remote and facilities can limit visitation without notice.

Mail: Contact the facility for current ICE detainee mailing address. The facility is at 3800 Ulm North Frontage Road, Great Falls, MT 59405.

If transferred to Tacoma (Northwest ICE Processing Center): Phone via GTL/ConnectNetwork (connectnetwork.com); mail to 1623 East J Street, Tacoma, WA 98421 with A-Number.

Step 6: Montana Context and Your Rights

Very small ICE detention footprint in Montana:

Montana has one of the smallest ICE detention operations of any state - typically 6 to 12 people at a time in a single county jail. Montana's immigrant population is small relative to other states. ICE enforcement in Montana is real but relatively limited in scale compared to border states and major urban areas. The primary concern for Montana families is the rapid transfer to out-of-state facilities (typically Tacoma, WA) that occurs within days of an arrest.

The Helena ICE sub-office:

Montana has a small ICE sub-office in Helena serving most of western Montana. Appointments are available Tuesday-Thursday, 10 AM-1 PM. Contact SaltLakeCity.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov for scheduling. If a family member has a routine ICE check-in scheduled, contact MIJA or an attorney first - check-in appointments have resulted in arrests nationally.

Missoula immigration court:

Some Montana ICE cases are heard in Missoula immigration court. In at least one documented case from July 2025, a federal judge in Missoula denied release on a habeas petition citing lack of jurisdiction. Track court dates through EOIR at 1-800-898-7180.

Do not sign anything without an attorney:

ICE may pressure detained people to sign Voluntary Departure documents. Contact MIJA at montanaimmigrant.org before signing anything.

Key rights every detainee has:

The right to speak with an attorney. Ask for the pro bono list; contact MIJA and NWIRP (for Tacoma).

The right to a bond hearing before an immigration judge (Montana is in the Ninth Circuit, which has been more protective of this right than some other circuits).

The right to be free from physical, sexual, and verbal abuse.

The right to access medical care.

The right to communicate with your home country's consulate (free calls required).

To report conditions or file a complaint:

DHS Inspector General: oig.dhs.gov | 1-800-323-8603

ACLU of Montana: aclumontana.org

ICE Salt Lake City: SaltLakeCity.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov

Quick Reference - Montana ICE Detainee Resources

Find a detainee:

ICE Detainee Locator: locator.ice.gov

NOTE: 'Camp East Montana' in the locator = El Paso, TEXAS (Fort Bliss) - call (915) 208-0980

ICE Detention Reporting Line: 1-888-351-4024

EOIR Case Status: 1-800-898-7180

ICE Helena Sub-Office: SaltLakeCity.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov | Tue-Thu 10 AM-1 PM

ICE Salt Lake City Field Office: (801) 886-7400

Montana ICE detention facility:

Cascade County Detention Center (Great Falls): 3800 Ulm North Frontage Road - (406) 454-6820

Primary transfer destination:

Northwest ICE Processing Center (Tacoma, WA): 1623 East J Street - (253) 779-6000

NWIRP (legal help in Tacoma): nwirp.org | (206) 957-8611

Legal help:

MIJA: montanaimmigrant.org

ACLU of Montana: aclumontana.org

Post bond:

ICE ERO Salt Lake City: 2975 Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City, UT 84119 | (801) 886-7400

ICE ERO Seattle (if in Tacoma): 1000 Second Avenue, Suite 2900, Seattle, WA 98104

Sources and verification: Montana Free Press, 'In Cascade County, Immigration Detention Is a Revenue Generator for the Jail,' July 25, 2025 (Cascade County Detention Center only county-level jail Montana authorized hold ICE detainees longer than 72 hours; Sheriff Jesse Slaughter $55 more per day federal vs state revenue vital to prevent budget shortfalls; 305 total as of that week 96 federal contracts most unrelated to immigration; six 'ICE immigration inmate' on roster; 2021 contract; community members faith leaders county commission meeting opposed; candidate for local office; Martinez Marvan detained transferred Tacoma after Missoula hearing July 15; attorney confirmed Tacoma; ICE locator only showed in custody; federal judge Missoula denied habeas petition Helena man lack of jurisdiction); Montana Free Press, 'Cascade County Inks New Contract with US Customs and Border Protection,' October 14, 2025 ($115 per detainee per day rate since 2021; contract through September 29 2026 renewal options; contract ceiling $20,700 estimate 180 daily rates per year; 11 immigration inmates on roster October 9; 365 total 372 capacity; CBP paying with federal convenience checks temporarily waived need electronic payment platform Treasury; Sheriff Slaughter conference call CBP understood budget projection purpose); ICE Helena sub-office page (ice.gov; area coverage: Beaverhead Broadwater Cascade Chouteau Deer Lodge Flathead Gallatin Glacier Granite Hill Jefferson Lake Lewis & Clark Liberty Lincoln Madison Meagher Mineral Missoula Park Pondera Powell Ravalli Sanders Silver Bow Teton Toole; appointments Tuesday-Thursday 10 AM-1 PM; SaltLakeCity.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov); ICE Camp East Montana page (ice.gov; Fort Bliss El Paso Texas; (915) 208-0980; schedule visits; Mountain Time; 8 AM-6 PM weekdays 8 AM-1 PM 2 PM-6 PM weekends holidays; in-person weekdays 8-6 weekends 9-5; ERO eFile for attorney VTC appointments; 1 hour increments back to back permitted not exceeding 2 hours per November 8 2025); Global Detention Project (3800 Ulm North Frontage Road Great Falls MT 59405; (406) 454-6820; US Marshals Service Inter-Governmental Agreement); GAO report, 'Immigration Detention: Waste and Performance Issues at Camp East Montana,' June 9, 2026 (Army and ICE opened Camp East Montana in August 2025; $1.3 billion contract; largest ICE facility to date; held about 1,600 detained noncitizens end of February 2026; contract required full meal costs for 5,000 people even when population far lower - millions in waste; did not meet key detention standards initially no perimeter security cameras no outdoor recreation no space for attorney or family visits; Army transferred administration to ICE October 2025; ICE terminated original contract for convenience April 2026 chose new contractor; still paying for meals not needed); El Paso Matters, 'ICE's Massive East Montana Detention Facility Opens at Fort Bliss,' August 18, 2025 (Fort Bliss El Paso Texas; Montana Avenue near George Dieter Drive; $1.24 billion total contract; Acquisition Logistics LLC Virginia; ~$232 million upfront; opened August 1 2025 1,000 men; expected 5,000 including women largest federal detention center civil detainees; reconciliation bill Big Beautiful Bill $45 billion supplemental funding; Rep. Veronica Escobar August 18 visit; reinforced tent hard floors walls don't extend to ceiling; cameras everywhere; sophisticated medical facility; generators; water resources); Newsweek, 'Women Raise Alarm Inside America's Largest ICE Detention Center,' February 11, 2026 (three women detained September 2025 to January 2026; Lugeidys Coronel 24 green card since November 20 2025 ulcer poor hygiene used clothing mold showers; Porras Medina green card 1998 arrived December 11; cameras in view of toilets tampons unavailable; Mukamuri Oklahoma 24 years wooden box wrapped plastic no windows no air circulation 72 people pods metal bunk beds; ACLU called for closure December 2025); ACLU El Paso letter December 8 2025 (beaten threatened illegal removal Mexico third-country deportations human and civil rights catastrophe; medical neglect restricted access legal counsel food hygiene substandard); NWIRP (nwirp.org; (206) 957-8611; Tacoma legal resource for Montana transfers). Volatile items: Verify Cascade County Detention Center current ICE contract status (CBP contract September 29 2026 expiration; county considering expansion of detention; verify current status); verify whether Cascade County has expanded ICE detainee capacity (community opposition noted; possible expansion discussed; verify at (406) 454-6820); verify Camp East Montana current status (original contract terminated April 2026 for convenience; new contractor; verify current operational status and new contact information at ice.gov); verify ICE Helena sub-office current appointment hours (Tuesday-Thursday 10 AM-1 PM confirmed but may have changed with Salt Lake City field office restructuring); verify NWIRP current services for Montana transfers to Tacoma. Last verified: June 2026.