BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A federal judge has ordered the release of 16 people detained by immigration officials during an FBI-led raid at a rural Idaho racetrack last month.
U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill ruled on Wednesday that keeping these migrants in jail without bond violated their due process rights. He noted that many have resided in the U.S. for decades, have no criminal records, and include individuals married to U.S. citizens or with U.S. citizen children.
In response, the Department of Homeland Security stated in an email to The Associated Press that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conducted lawful arrests and described the ruling as the decision of an 'activist judge' letting lawbreakers roam free.
“The Trump administration is committed to restoring the rule of law and common sense to our immigration system, and will continue to fight for the arrest, detention, and removal of aliens who have no right to be in this country,” the department added.
The raid on October 19 targeted the Idaho racetrack as part of an investigation into illegal gambling, involving over 200 officers from at least 14 federal agencies, including ICE and U.S. Border Patrol. Around 400 individuals were temporarily detained, including many U.S. citizens.
Witnesses reported aggressive measures during the raid, such as children being zip-tied and minors separated from parents for extended durations, which raised concerns among civil rights advocates. However, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem denied the use of restraints on children.
The raid ultimately produced only a few gambling-related arrests, while 105 of the detentions were on immigration violations. Critics argue that many of those detained were pressured to sign voluntary departure agreements before consulting legal counsel.
Legal representatives have indicated that most petitions for release in federal courts have followed Judge Winmill's assertion: non-citizens present in the U.S. are entitled to due process rights under the Constitution. In his ruling, Winmill clarified that existing laws apply differently to non-citizens detained at the border versus those residing within the country.
Ramirez-Smith, an immigration attorney representing several released detainees, praised the judge's decision as crucial for protecting detainees' rights. Despite the current backlogs within immigration courts, she expressed optimism that families would be able to stay together while legal proceedings continue.
Overall, the incident underscores the ongoing debate over immigration policies and enforcement methods under the Trump administration, with critics alleging that aggressive tactics are undermining due process and family integrity.
