Montana
Montana immigration lawyer answers questions about the immigration process
HELENA — For nearly three decades, Missoula-based immigration attorney Randall Caudle has helped clients navigate the often-complicated path to legal residency and citizenship in the United States. Caudle, who runs River Mountain Immigration, sat down with MTN’s Jessica Nelson to shed light on the process, especially for Mexican nationals, and to offer insight into how immigration enforcement and policy play out in rural states like Montana.
(Watch MTN’s full interview with lawyer Randall Caudle)
Montana immigration lawyer discusses U.S. immigration process and answers questions
Caudle says the path to citizenship is rarely straightforward. “There is no legal pathway for 95% of immigrants that want to come here,” he said. “It’s not like back during the Ellis Island days when people could just get on a boat and show up at Ellis Island and immigrate here.” He added that Montana’s immigration office is among the most efficient in the country. “Most cases are getting to interview there in like six months, maybe sometimes less, sometimes a little more, but they are quick. If you are in San Francisco, you are probably going to be waiting a year and a half.”
He noted delays and denials are often caused by incomplete documentation, misunderstandings about eligibility, and lengthy government backlogs. Caudle says financial costs can also be a hurdle, with fees starting at $2,200 just to apply for a green card.
He added if an individual has entered the U.S. illegally once before and been removed, they are subject to a 10-year ban. If they reenter unlawfully a second time, they face a permanent bar from legal status. “Realistically, if you are deported, you are probably never going to be able to get any legal status in the U.S.,” he said.
Caudle also pointed to lesser-known issues that can derail an application. “Minor criminal issues are problematic for immigration,” he said. “At the beginning of this year, the first bill that Trump signed was a bill making shoplifting basically a major issue, you know, preventing you from immigration benefits.”
“In Montana, I had to warn clients about smoking pot and hunting because even though smoking pot is legal in 36 states, it is still a federal crime and it still prevents you from getting any immigration benefits,” he said. “Hunting, you may get a ticket for a hunting violation and you just pay the ticket and think, ‘Oh, that’s no big deal.’ Well, it is a firearms violation, which is also majorly problematic for immigration purposes.”
HEBGEN LAKE, Mont. — A man was rescued after nearly drowning while swimming in Rainbow Point, located 10 miles north of West Yellowstone.
The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, along with Hebgen Basin Rural EMS personnel and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, responded to reports of a swimmer in distress.
Officials say bystanders saw a man become unresponsive while swimming roughly 100 yards off the shoreline.
They, along with a boating group, located the man, pulled him out of the water, and performed life-saving measures until first responders arrived.
The man was airlifted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. Officials say he is in critical condition.
The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office released the following information:
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 12, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from July 12 drawing
09-17-22-29, Bonus: 11
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 12 drawing
12-21-39-46-48, Bonus: 02
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
- Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
- Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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