A federal judge has ordered the release of 16 individuals detained by immigration officials during a high-profile FBI-led raid at a rural Idaho racetrack. The ruling, delivered by U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill, determined that holding the migrants without the opportunity to post bond violated their due process rights under the law. The judge noted that many of those detained had been living in the U.S. for decades and had no criminal histories. Some detainees are married to U.S. citizens or have children who are U.S. citizens.
The raid, which occurred on October 19, involved over 200 officers from 14 agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol, as part of an investigation into suspected illegal gambling. Around 400 individuals were detained for several hours during the operation, with many, including U.S. citizens, also being caught up in the massive enforcement action. Witnesses reported on the aggressive tactics used during the raid, including allegations of zip-tying children and separating them from their parents for extended periods.
In response to the judge's ruling, the Department of Homeland Security affirmed that the detainees were lawfully arrested but criticized the order as being made by an 'activist judge' freeing 'lawbreakers'. Despite this, legal experts note that non-citizens who have resided in the country have due process rights that must be respected, highlighting the ongoing tensions and complexities within U.S. immigration law.
The immigration attorney representing many of the released detainees described the judge's decision as an important clarity on the issues at stake. The released individuals will remain at home with their families while awaiting court hearings related to their immigration status, which could take years due to significant backlogs in the system caused partly by administrative actions during previous administrations.
The raid, which occurred on October 19, involved over 200 officers from 14 agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol, as part of an investigation into suspected illegal gambling. Around 400 individuals were detained for several hours during the operation, with many, including U.S. citizens, also being caught up in the massive enforcement action. Witnesses reported on the aggressive tactics used during the raid, including allegations of zip-tying children and separating them from their parents for extended periods.
In response to the judge's ruling, the Department of Homeland Security affirmed that the detainees were lawfully arrested but criticized the order as being made by an 'activist judge' freeing 'lawbreakers'. Despite this, legal experts note that non-citizens who have resided in the country have due process rights that must be respected, highlighting the ongoing tensions and complexities within U.S. immigration law.
The immigration attorney representing many of the released detainees described the judge's decision as an important clarity on the issues at stake. The released individuals will remain at home with their families while awaiting court hearings related to their immigration status, which could take years due to significant backlogs in the system caused partly by administrative actions during previous administrations.
