Three Idaho families who are U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents are suing after being among roughly 400 people detained during a heavily militarized immigration raid at a rural horse racing track popular with local Latino families. The raid, led by multiple law enforcement agencies including ICE and the FBI, was ostensibly part of an investigation into illegal gambling but resulted in over 100 arrests on immigration violations. The families allege unconstitutional tactics such as racial profiling, detaining people based on Latino appearance, using zip ties for hours without food, water, or bathroom access, and separating children from family members. They claim the operation was a “fishing expedition” that violated their Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights and federal civil rights laws.

The ACLU of Idaho, representing the families, argues the raid was a coordinated government scheme to use a criminal warrant as cover for mass racial profiling and deportations, causing terror in the Latino community. The lawsuit seeks class-action status, damages, and a declaration that the law enforcement agencies violated constitutional and federal civil rights protections. This case echoes other nationwide legal challenges to immigration raids marked by aggressive tactics and racial discrimination, though courts have had mixed rulings on such claims. The families emphasize the human cost of the raid, including children as young as 11 being restrained and families traumatized by the aggressive enforcement measures.