Date Published: October 21, 2025, 02:57h.

Last Modified: October 21, 2025, 02:57h.

• ICE’s involvement in gambling operation prompts civil rightsAlarm.
• Numerous individuals, including minors, detained during Idaho racetrack operation.
• FBI postpones briefing amid public concerns over mass detentions.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Idaho has accused federal authorities of employing “excessive force” during an operation at a racetrack that was intended to target illegal gambling activities.

More than 200 law enforcement personnel from federal, state, and local agencies, including the FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), converged on La Catedral Arena in Wilder, Idaho around 1 p.m. on Sunday.

While the FBI was searching for individuals linked to illegal parimutuel betting, which included racetrack owner Ivan Tellez, hundreds of innocent bystanders—among them children—were also detained. The ACLU indicated that agents utilized rubber projectiles against the crowd.

‘Military-Like Tactics’

La Catedral Arena is recognized in the area for hosting racing and family-oriented events and has been a part of the agricultural community of Wilder, just west of Boise, for several years. Tellez possesses a permit for horse racing at La Catedral but lacks a betting license, as stated in a federal complaint obtained by Casino.org.

“The authorities arrived in overwhelming force, akin to military operations, involving helicopters and drones, apprehending and handcuffing everyone… even children,” stated Leo Morales, Executive Director of ACLU Idaho, during a recent press conference. “No citizen, no resident of Idaho, nor any American should tolerate such actions from their government.”

Nikki Ramirez-Smith, an immigration attorney, informed the Idaho Statesman that agents detained “everyone” present at the racetrack, numbering between 500 and 1,000 individuals. Many had their hands zip-tied, while children were separated from their parents. Those who could provide valid documentation were later released.

“Many children will carry severe trauma from being restrained,” Ramirez-Smith remarked.

As of Monday, all detained minors had been released, but numerous adults remained in custody, including individuals with no prior criminal records, according to Ramirez-Smith.

Unconventional Collaboration

While inter-agency collaboration during investigations is not unusual, ICE’s participation in an illegal gambling enforcement operation is particularly atypical.

A planned press briefing by the FBI was called off on Monday; however, the agency issued a revised statement acknowledging that ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations team was involved to address individuals “who may have immigration issues identified during the investigation.”

“Their role was confined to this specific federal duty and distinct from the criminal gambling inquiry led by the FBI,” the statement clarified.

Four individuals, including Tellez and Samuel Bejarano, identified as the “bookmaker and administrator” of the racetrack’s parimutuel betting operations, were arrested on gambling-related charges. A fifth individual was taken into custody Monday evening, according to law enforcement officials.