On October 19, 2025, a massive immigration raid involving over 200 local, state, and federal officers—including ICE and the FBI—descended on a Latino family gathering at La Catedral arena in Wilder, Idaho. The operation, ostensibly targeting an illegal gambling ring with warrants naming only five suspects, resulted in the detention of hundreds, including U.S. citizens and children, with 105 arrests made. The raid employed aggressive tactics such as helicopters, armored vehicles, flashbang grenades, and rubber bullets, and involved racial profiling, with officers allegedly sorting detainees based on perceived immigration status and using racist language.
The ACLU has filed a lawsuit challenging the raid, arguing that federal agents unlawfully used criminal search warrants to conduct immigration enforcement, violating the civil rights of many lawful residents and U.S. citizens. The suit contends that federal agents conspired with local law enforcement to circumvent protections that typically shield federal officers from civil rights lawsuits, potentially setting a precedent for holding federal immigration officials accountable in court. Plaintiffs describe traumatic experiences, including children being zip-tied and denied basic needs, while officials deny such allegations. The case highlights ongoing tensions over immigration enforcement tactics and civil rights protections.
