HUMSI — Human Security Initiative

Human Impact Project

A living database documenting reported immigration enforcement incidents and their human impact.

FBI-ICE raid at Idaho horse track detains 400, including children and U.S. citizens

Nov 19, 2025 · Boise, ID

On October 19, 2025, approximately 200-plus law enforcement officers from at least 14 agencies, including the FBI, ICE, and Border Patrol, conducted a raid on La Catedral Arena, a horse track near Boise in Wilder, Idaho, as part of a gambling investigation. The operation detained approximately 400 people for hours, resulting in 105 immigration-related detentions and 5 arrests on gambling charges. Officers zip-tied children as young as 8 and 11 years old, used flash-bang devices, and fired rubber bullets when crowds surged forward. Four protesters, including activist Avalon Hardy, were arrested and charged with misdemeanor resisting or obstructing officers after officers used force against them. One month after the raid, U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill ordered the release of 15 detainees, ruling the government failed to demonstrate they posed a danger or flight risk and that mandatory detention violated due process rights.

Timeline

Nov 19, 2025U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill ordered release of 15 immigrants detained after the raid, ruling mandatory detention violated due process rights and government failed to demonstrate flight risk or danger
Oct 19, 2025FBI-led raid on La Catedral Arena horse track involving 200+ officers from 14 agencies including ICE and Border Patrol; approximately 400 people detained for hours; 105 immigration violations identified, 5 gambling arrests; officers zip-tied children as young as 8, used flash-bang devices and rubber bullets; four protesters arrested including activist Avalon Hardy

Sources

More incidents in Idaho