Army Veteran Sues U.S. Government After ICE Detained Him for Three Days Without Charges

Photo: Facebook / Things You Don't Know Official A 26-year-old U.S. citizen and Army veteran has filed a federal lawsuit accusing immigr...

Photo: Facebook / Things You Don't Know Official

A 26-year-old U.S. citizen and Army veteran has filed a federal lawsuit accusing immigration authorities of unlawfully detaining him for three days during a raid in Southern California, raising renewed questions about civil liberties and enforcement practices.

According to the complaint, George Retes, who served in Iraq, was driving to his private security job when he encountered a federal roadblock during an immigration operation in Camarillo, California. Retes says he was stopped by officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, even though he is a U.S. citizen.

The lawsuit alleges that agents shattered his vehicle window, used pepper spray, forced him to the ground, and restrained him without first verifying his identity. Retes claims he was then transported to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles, where he was strip-searched, placed on suicide watch, and held for three days without access to a lawyer, a phone call, or a court hearing.

Retes says he was never charged with any crime and was released without explanation. During the detention, he missed his daughter’s third birthday and was unable to notify his family of his whereabouts.

The lawsuit was filed with support from the Institute for Justice, which argues the detention violated constitutional protections against unreasonable seizure and deprivation of due process. Attorneys say the case could set a significant legal precedent if it advances through the courts.

The Department of Homeland Security has dismissed the allegations, calling the claims false. Retes disputes that characterization and says no officer made any effort to confirm his citizenship before or during his detention.

The case comes amid heightened scrutiny of immigration enforcement tactics and follows a series of incidents in which U.S. citizens have reported being mistakenly detained during large-scale operations. Retes’ attorneys say the lawsuit seeks accountability and safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future.