Families Sue Over Aggressive Immigration Raid at Idaho Horse Track

U.S. citizens and legal residents allege civil rights violations during law enforcement operation

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Three Idaho families who are U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents are suing after they and hundreds of others were detained for hours during an aggressive immigration raid at a rural horse racing track last year. The families say state and federal law enforcement agencies used unconstitutional and illegal tactics, including detaining people based on their appearance, keeping adults and children in zip ties for hours without access to basic needs, and searching individuals without reasonable suspicion of a crime.

Why it matters

Similar immigration enforcement actions have previously entangled U.S. citizens and legal residents in other states, raising concerns about racial profiling, excessive use of force, and violations of constitutional rights. The outcome of this lawsuit could set important precedents around the limits of immigration enforcement tactics, especially when they appear to target entire communities rather than specific criminal suspects.

The details

The raid took place at the privately owned La Catedral horse racing track about an hour west of Boise. While the FBI had a criminal search warrant for an investigation into alleged illegal gambling, over 100 people were arrested on suspicion of immigration violations, even though the track had a valid license and was a popular family event for the local Latino community. Witnesses describe law enforcement using militarized tactics, breaking car windows, throwing people to the ground, and shooting rubber bullets, all while using racial slurs.

  • The raid occurred on October 19, 2025.
  • Shortly after the raid, a Homeland Security spokesperson made inaccurate claims about the operation targeting 'an illegal horse-racing, animal fighting, and a gambling enterprise'.

The players

ACLU of Idaho

The civil rights organization representing the three Idaho families in the lawsuit against law enforcement agencies over the immigration raid.

Juana Rodriguez

One of the lead plaintiffs in the lawsuit, who said her hands were zip-tied for almost four hours, preventing her from caring for her 3-year-old son during the raid.

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What they’re saying

“Families with young children and elderly grandparents go for a nice outdoor activity, looking forward to the moments between races when kids are allowed to run down the track. But on Oct. 19, a swarm of 200 law enforcement officers flooded the property.”

— ACLU of Idaho (Federal lawsuit)

“Wearing militarized gear and face coverings, they pointed guns and screamed orders at frightened families. They broke the windows of cars parked on the property, sending glass pouring on those inside, including children who had taken refuge in cars because of rain. They threw compliant people to the ground and shot rubber bullets over the heads of teenagers.”

— ACLU of Idaho (Federal lawsuit)

What’s next

The families are seeking to have the lawsuit certified as a class action on behalf of other legal residents who were detained, and they want a federal judge to declare that the law enforcement agencies violated the detainees' constitutional rights. They are also seeking damages to be determined at trial.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions and civil liberties concerns around aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, especially when they appear to target entire communities rather than specific criminal suspects. The outcome could set important precedents around the limits of such operations and the protections afforded to U.S. citizens and legal residents.