Controversial FBI Operation in Idaho Detains Hundreds, Including Families

Sat Nov 01 2025 22:10:26 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

An operation at a racetrack near Boise raises alarm as U.S. citizens, including minors, face detainment amidst a federal investigation into illegal gambling activities.

A recent FBI-led operation at La Catedral Arena in Idaho resulted in the detention of approximately 400 individuals, with many families and minors caught in the sweep. Law enforcement's heavy-handed tactics, including the use of zip ties on children, have sparked outrage among affected families and community members. While authorities justified the raid as necessary for combatting illegal gambling, concerns have arisen regarding the treatment of U.S. citizens during immigration enforcement efforts.

The operation took place on October 19 when about 400 people were detained at a privately-owned racetrack west of Boise, Idaho, amidst a sweeping investigation into illegal gambling operations. Anabel Romero, a U.S. citizen and mother, witnessed her 14-year-old daughter being restrained by heavily armed officers as families were subjected to hours of detention.

Officials stated that over 100 arrests were made, mostly related to immigration violations, prompting widespread concern regarding the aggressive tactics employed by law enforcement amidst a federal crackdown.

Romero reported that more than 200 officers from agencies like ICE and the Border Patrol participated in the raid, which has been characterized by some as an unprecedented coalescence of federal resources focusing on immigration rather than community safety. Families were reportedly zip-tied, with children as young as 11 being restrained while undergoing interrogation.

Despite Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem denying allegations of excessive force on minors, multiple families recounted traumatic experiences, including a child suffering injuries from broken glass during the chaos. The fallout from the operation has intensified debates about the intersection of immigration enforcement and criminal investigations.

John Carter, a security guard at the racetrack, criticized the handling of the situation, stating that the actions taken during the raid were disproportionate and unjustifiable, emphasizing that mere attendance to a public event does not imply wrongdoing.

The FBI's justification centered on claims that the racetrack was linked to illegal gambling activities. However, concerns are growing about the implications of these enforcement tactics, particularly their impact on legal residents and U.S. citizens amidst an overarching climate of fear and uncertainty regarding immigration policies.

As details continue to emerge, the operation at La Catedral Arena serves as a grim reminder of the complexities and risks involved in law enforcement practices that blur the line between public safety and immigration control.