Nearly a year after a massive law‑enforcement operation swept the La Catedral horse track in Wilder, Idaho, three families are pressing forward with a civil‑rights lawsuit that claims the raid was far broader than the federal gambling probe that sparked it.
Plaintiff shares the personal toll
Juana Rodriguez, who was among the more than 200 people detained on Oct. 19, 2025, told reporters the experience was “very traumatic.” She recalled being zip‑tied and unable to care for her three‑year‑old son at the time. “Till this day, I still have a hard time going out and trying to have fun,” Rodriguez said, adding that her now‑four‑year‑old son still fears police and avoids horse races.
Rodriguez says the fear has seeped into everyday life, from grocery trips to simple errands. “I always said that I was going to fight for him, myself and the community,” she added, underscoring the lawsuit’s broader community focus.
What the lawsuit alleges
The complaint names federal immigration agencies, Canyon County, and the cities of Caldwell and Nampa, as well as senior law‑enforcement officials. It argues that the operation, which was tied to a federal gambling investigation, used warrants that targeted only five individuals under investigation for illegal gambling, yet resulted in the detention of hundreds of people with no connection to the probe.
According to the ACLU, which is representing the families, the warrants were narrowly scoped, but authorities expanded the sweep to include spectators and by‑standers. “They were just there to watch the races,” ACLU senior counsel Jorge Castillo told the reporter.
Government response and legal maneuvering
In June, attorneys for Caldwell and Nampa asked a judge to dismiss the claims against the two cities and their police chiefs, arguing that local officers were merely assisting federal agents in executing a search warrant and that the lawsuit does not show the chiefs personally violated anyone’s rights.
Castillo countered that the case highlights a broader concern about how Latino communities are treated during law‑enforcement operations. “This is a call to demand that these abuses end once and for all,” he said.
Impact on the community
The raid was linked to a federal gambling investigation, and federal authorities later deported dozens of those detained. The families assert that the operation’s overreach has left lasting scars on their children and eroded trust in law‑enforcement.
Rodriguez summed up the families’ plea: “I think we’re all human, and I think we should all be treated equal.” The lawsuit seeks accountability and aims to prevent similar overreaches in the future.
Next steps
The case is moving through the courts, with Idaho News 6 promising continued coverage as it progresses. Local residents and advocacy groups are watching closely, concerned that the outcome could set a precedent for how law‑enforcement agencies conduct large‑scale operations in Idaho.
Original reporting: KIVI Idaho News 6 Boise metro (local) — read the source article.
