ICE Arrests 105 in Idaho Raid Targeting Illegal Gambling, Immigration

Federal authorities, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the FBI, conducted a raid at the La Catedral Arena horse racetrack in Wilder, Idaho, resulting in the detention of 105 individuals and the arrest of 5 people connected to an illegal gambling operation. The raid targeted an alleged illegal enterprise involving horse racing, gambling, and animal fighting, with officials citing fears of drug and weapon trafficking and cartel involvement. ICE emphasized that the arrests were part of a broader effort under President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to dismantle criminal networks in the U.S. The operation sparked controversy, with local residents and civil rights advocates criticizing the law enforcement tactics used, including the detention of children and the use of military-style methods such as helicopters and drones. Authorities clarified that none of the detained individuals were children and that ICE's role focused on immigration violations, separate from the FBI's criminal gambling investigation. The racetrack owner, Ivan Tellez, was among those charged, accused of running an unlicensed betting operation despite having a permit to hold horse races.