UPDATE: A dramatic FBI-led raid at La Catedral Arena in Boise, Idaho, on October 19, 2023, has resulted in the detention of approximately 400 individuals, revealing a significant crackdown on illegal gambling and immigration violations. Witnesses report chaotic scenes as law enforcement officers brandished firearms and employed aggressive tactics to apprehend suspects, including the use of zip ties on minors.
Anabel Romero, a U.S. citizen, recounted the terrifying moments when law enforcement officers removed her 14-year-old daughter from a truck and restrained her. “I didn’t know what to think. It was all so sudden,” Romero said. The raid has raised alarming questions about the handling of U.S. citizens and legal residents during such operations.
The operation involved over 200 officers from at least 14 agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and local police. Among those detained, 105 arrests were specifically for immigration violations, while four individuals faced gambling charges.
The raid, part of a broader initiative to enforce President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, has sparked outrage in Canyon County, home to a large Hispanic population and a community that largely supported Trump in the last election. Residents reported distressing incidents where children were zip-tied, and some were separated from their families for hours.
“Yes, I voted for Trump, but I don’t like the way this was handled,” said John Carter, a security guard at the track who was also restrained during the operation.
Witnesses described officers using flash-bang devices and pepper bombs, creating an atmosphere of terror for families attending the event. One mother, Jehidi Perez, described a harrowing incident where an officer fired a rubber bullet at her parents’ car as they attempted to flee. “We were thinking it was actual bullets,” she said, visibly shaken by the event.
Federal officials have denied using excessive force, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem asserting that no children were restrained during the operation. However, this claim has been contradicted by several eyewitness accounts and reports from those present.
The FBI’s Special Agent Jacob Sheridan stated that the operation targeted a pari-mutuel betting operation lacking the required state license for such activities. However, ICE has come under fire for its involvement and claims regarding the operation’s scope.
As many families continue to struggle with the aftermath of the raid, the emotional toll is evident. Children like Romero’s 6- and 8-year-olds are experiencing nightmares and anxiety, struggling to comprehend the trauma of being separated from their parents.
Authorities have not provided clear answers regarding the treatment of detainees during the raid. Many individuals were reportedly released after being identified as U.S. citizens, but the lasting impact on their mental health remains a critical concern.
Looking ahead, community leaders and activists are calling for accountability and a reevaluation of how immigration enforcement is conducted in the U.S. The case could prompt discussions on policy changes as families continue to grapple with the repercussions of the FBI’s aggressive tactics.
This incident highlights the urgent need for dialogue on immigration and law enforcement practices as communities across the nation await further developments.
