George Retes: Army Vet Sues Trump Admin over ICE Raid Arrest

A Veteran’s Nightmare

On July 10, 2025, a routine workday turned into a nightmare for George Retes, a 25‑year‑old U.S. citizen and disabled Army veteran working as a security guard at Glass House Farms in Camarillo, California. During a sweeping immigration enforcement operation, federal agents forcibly detained Retes—despite his veteran status and citizenship—holding him for three days without charge, contact, or explanation. His story, marked by physical trauma and emotional anguish, has sparked widespread controversy and a legal battle against the Trump administration. 

2. The Raid: Confusion, Force, and Misidentification

Federal agents, conducting raids at cannabis farms in Camarillo and Carpinteria, arrested over 360 people. These operations marked one of the largest enforcement efforts under the Trump administration, drawing sharp criticism from immigrant rights groups and California officials. 

Retes, en route to his job, stopped at a makeshift checkpoint. Despite repeatedly identifying himself as a U.S. citizen and veteran, he says agents sprayed him with tear gas and pepper spray, shattered his car windows, and dragged him from his vehicle. Retes vividly recalls:

“It took two officers to nail my back and then one on my neck to arrest me, even though my hands were already behind my back.” 

3. Locked Up with No Explanation

Retes was taken to the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, placed in a suicide-watch cell, and denied basic dignities—no lawyer, no phone, no shower—even while tear gas and pepper spray residue burned his skin. He missed his three-year-old daughter’s birthday, enduring prolonged uncertainty and fear. 

After three days, he was released without being told what, if anything, he was accused of. Officials confirmed he faced no charges, yet the U.S. Attorney’s Office was reviewing his case along with many others. 

4. Civil Rights Under Fire: Systemic Failures

Retes’s ordeal is not an isolated malfunction. It highlights systemic issues in immigration enforcement tactics:

• The indiscriminate use of force, even against citizens.

• A lack of coordination and clarity in large-scale operations.

• A violation of civil liberties, including due process, communication rights, and humane treatment. 

California Governor Gavin Newsom denounced the raids, calling them fear-inducing and unconstitutional. He emphasized that such tactics undermine trust, disrespect civil rights, and erode public safety

In response to these events, a federal judge temporarily halted similar warrantless stops across seven California counties—but the Justice Department quickly appealed the order. 

5. The Fallout: Legal Action and Advocacy

George Retes has vowed to sue the federal government, seeking justice not only for himself but to deter future abuses.

On Democracy Now!, Retes and his attorney Marie Miller (of the Institute for Justice) discussed how they are pursuing accountability through the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA)—which allows victims to file claims against the government after submitting administrative complaints and waiting six months for resolution. 

Miller stressed:

“Basic violations of federal constitutional rights … without access to a lawyer, without a hearing before a judge … these are what the FTCA is meant to address.” 

Retes added:

“No one deserves to be treated this way… whether you’re a veteran or a U.S. citizen.” 

6. Legal and Social Implications

A. Constitutional Concerns

Retes’s case shows how enforcement actions can contravene the Fourth Amendment (protection against unreasonable searches and seizures), Sixth Amendment (right to counsel), and Fifth Amendment (due process).

B. Precedent for Accountability

Should Retes win, it could embolden future victims to pursue legal action for wrongful detentions—even when perpetrated by immigration authorities.

C. Erosion of Public Trust

When a U.S. Army veteran—the very individuals tasked with protecting the nation—is treated as a suspect, the credibility of law enforcement suffers significantly.

D. Deterrent to Overreach

Holding federal agencies legally responsible may curb future overzealous enforcement and encourage more refined, intelligence-led operations.

7. Looking Ahead: What’s Next?

• Investigation and Review: The U.S. Attorney’s Office is reviewing Retes’s case along with many others from the Camarillo raid. 

• Legal Proceedings: Retes’s FTCA claim will proceed once the six-month administrative period ends. Further paths—like constitutional lawsuits—may follow.

• Policy Scrutiny: Ongoing debates may shape future immigration enforcement reforms and oversight mechanisms.

• Public Voice: Retes’s vocal stance—“this doesn’t just affect one person”—resonates with advocates for civil rights and accountability. 

8. Conclusion: Beyond One Man’s Ordeal

George Retes’s wrongful detention is emblematic of systemic flaws in immigration enforcement—where force, fear, and neglect can override civil liberties, even for lawful U.S. citizens. His willingness to sue not only shines a light on what happened but aims to ensure that such a violation does not happen again—to him or anyone else.