BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The first sign something was amiss was the sound of helicopter rotors whirling above, followed by the sound of cries and screams. Within moments, Anabel Romero found herself restrained on the ground while law enforcement officers pulled her 14-year-old daughter from a nearby truck and zip-tied her, all amidst the terrified gaze of her younger siblings.
Romero, along with her daughter, both U.S. citizens, was one of approximately 400 individuals held for several hours at La Catedral Arena as part of an FBI-led crackdown that resulted in over 100 arrests—most of which were for immigration violations.
Unclear on which agency was responsible for her daughter's restraints, Romero noted that over 200 officers from a staggering 14 different agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol, converged during the aggressive raid.
This operation on October 19 serves as a poignant reminder of how immigration enforcement has taken center stage across federal law enforcement lines, illustrating a previously unseen level of coordination aligned with prior executive agendas aimed at mass deportation. Additionally, it underscores the distressing reality that immigration enforcement actions often ensnare U.S. citizens and legal residents.
Families interviewed recounted incidents where their children were involved in the chaos; cries erupted as officers forcibly removed them from vehicles. Shocking accounts included reports of an 8-year-old boy suffering injuries from glass as officers broke a window during the raid, while other families say they were forcibly separated for hours.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem denied that any children were zip-tied during the operation, a claim initially supported by FBI spokesperson Sandra Barker, who walked back the statement, revising it to specify “young children.”
Among the arrests, four individuals faced gambling charges, while 105 were detained on immigration-related counts. Oversight for the operation came from local law enforcement who suggested that claims of credit taken by ICE were misleading, emphasizing the FBI's leadership role.
[Insert Image]
The raid at La Catedral Arena agitated tensions in Canyon County, which showcases a significant Hispanic population—a demographic that broadly supported Trump in prior elections. Individuals, including security personnel who witnessed the event, expressed discontent with the aggressive approach. John Carter, a track security guard, criticized the heavy-handed tactics and suggested that not everybody in attendance should be judged based on the actions of a few.
As the dust settles from the raid, numerous parents remain troubled. Children who were involved are reportedly experiencing night terrors and emotional distress. One mother reported that her son and brother are struggling to sleep, highlighting the psychological toll such actions levy on the innocent just seeking enjoyment at a public event.
These events prompt a critical examination of how immigration enforcement tactics may adversely affect public perception of law enforcement as a whole in communities like Canyon County, while calling into question the appropriateness of the means employed to achieve the ends.
