Federal Immigration Crackdown Takes a Disturbing Turn in Idaho

Fri Dec 05 2025 07:03:17 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a federal operation connected to illegal gambling at La Catedral Arena, immigration enforcement led to the shocking mistreatment of families, including the zip-tying of children, raising serious concerns about the use of excessive force.

A recent FBI-led operation in Idaho targeting illegal gambling has sparked controversy due to reports of excessive force used against families, including the zip-tying of minors. Witnesses recount distressing scenes where children were restrained or separated from their parents, raising ethical concerns about the enforcement of immigration laws. This incident underscores the intricate relationship between federal law enforcement and immigration policies, highlighting the distress caused to U.S. citizens and their families as a byproduct of immigration crackdowns.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A federal operation on October 19, aimed at dismantling illegal gambling activities at La Catedral Arena, has stirred a wave of outrage and concern over the treatment of families during the raid. Reports indicate that over 400 individuals, including numerous children, were detained for several hours, with many being zip-tied by law enforcement.

Anabel Romero, a U.S. citizen, described witnessing her 14-year-old daughter being restrained while her younger siblings looked on in fear. The raid drew participation from more than 200 officers across 14 agencies, featuring a considerable presence from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol, highlighting the increasing intertwining of immigration enforcement with broader law enforcement operations.

The operation emphasizes how immigration has emerged as a predominant factor in federal law enforcement strategies, a trend spurred on by the administration's focus on mass deportation policies.

Witness accounts reveal shocking details, including the use of zip ties on children as young as 11 and alarming attempts to break vehicle windows. Reports indicate that one 8-year-old boy suffered injuries from glass while screaming in terror during the chaotic scene.

While Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem denied the use of zip ties on minors, accounts from various families paint a starkly different picture. Four individuals faced arrest on gambling charges, while 105 others were detained for immigration violations, raising questions about the proportionality and ethics of such law enforcement actions.

Families voiced severe distress after the incident, as children's fears and trauma from the encounter lingered long after the raid. A palpable sense of injustice resonates through the community, emphasizing the need for accountability and a reevaluation of practices within immigration enforcement operations.

One security guard from the event, John Carter, expressed, “It’s OK to take your family to a public event. Just because there’s 10 people in a crowd doing something illegal, that doesn’t make everyone in that crowd illegal.”

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the drastic measures now taken under the guise of law enforcement, prompting urgent calls for a thorough examination of policies affecting both legal and undocumented individuals alike.