George Retes testifies before Congress on December 9, 2025.
A U.S. Army Veteran detained during a federal immigration raid in Southern California last summer is suing the federal government, challenging the actions of immigration agents and raising questions about the rights of U.S. citizens caught in enforcement operations.
George Retes, a Ventura County security guard, filed a federal lawsuit alleging he was wrongfully arrested and held for three days during a July 10, 2025, immigration raid at a licensed cannabis farm near Camarillo. Retes says agents ignored repeated statements that he was a U.S. citizen and military Veteran before taking him into custody.
Outside a federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles, Retes said the lawsuit is driven by principle and accountability rather than anger. He is represented by attorneys from the Institute for Justice, a nonprofit public interest law firm handling the case.
According to court filings and news reports, Retes was driving to work when federal agents stopped him during an operation targeting suspected labor violations. He alleges agents smashed his vehicle window, used chemical agents, and forcibly removed him from his car before detaining him.
The enforcement action resulted in hundreds of detentions in Ventura County and drew national attention after protests formed near the worksite. Federal officials stated that the operation was linked to a labor law investigation, while critics questioned the tactics employed during the raid.
RELATED ARTICLE: ARMY VETERAN PLANS LAWSUIT AFTER BEING DETAINED WITHOUT CHARGES DURING CAMARILLO IMMIGRATION RAID
Retes’ lawsuit states he was transferred between multiple facilities, including a naval installation and the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles. He says he was held for about 72 hours without being charged, allowed to contact family, or granted access to legal counsel before being released without charges.
Attorneys filed the case under the Federal Tort Claims Act, which allows individuals to pursue damages against the federal government in certain situations, including claims of false arrest. Legal analysts say such lawsuits face hurdles because federal officials are often protected by immunity doctrines that limit liability.
Retes has since testified before Congress about his detention, describing how agents allegedly disregarded documentation confirming his citizenship. His legal team argues the case highlights concerns about mistaken detentions during large-scale immigration operations and seeks clearer protections for citizens.
Legal experts say challenges to federal law enforcement actions can take years to resolve. Retes’ attorneys have indicated the case could ultimately reach the U.S. Supreme Court if lower courts dismiss claims based on government immunity arguments.
Civil rights advocates say lawsuits involving U.S. citizens detained during immigration enforcement have appeared in several states, prompting debate over enforcement practices and accountability standards. The outcome of this case could influence how future wrongful detention claims against federal agents are handled and whether individuals have a clear path to seek damages when constitutional rights are allegedly violated.
The Department of Homeland Security has not issued a public response to the lawsuit.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted family connection to the military, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
After reading several articles about this, I can honestly say that his story doesn’t make sense. He says he was driving to work as a security guard at a dope farm. However, he was dressed in shorts and a hoodie? He says he didn’t want to miss his shift, but drove into a line of Federal Immigration Officers conducting a lawful operation and he just wanted to tell them that he worked there and didn’t want to miss work? Really? He says they aggressively took him into custody because he was trying to comply with their orders and he says he didn’t resist at all. Just too many inconsistencies to believe he was just caught up accidentally. If you saw a law enforcement action taking place, you don’t drive into it. You turn around and leave the area so the officers can conduct their duty safely. Those officers are looking for the people illegally in our country and thwarting off the people that are trying to stop them from doing their job. Sounds like he was trying to agitate the situation and got himself into a bad situation.