George Retes

George, an Iraq War veteran and U.S. citizen, was on his way to his security guard job at a Southern California farm when he encountered an ICE roadblock, along with protesters and observers. Not wanting to lose his shift, he asked agents to let him get through. As protestors and agents clashed, George’s car became engulfed in tear gas.  

An officer broke George’s car window. Another pepper sprayed him. They dragged George out of his car and forced him to the ground. One officer put a knee on George’s neck. Another put a knee on George’s back, even though he was not resisting.

Without checking George’s ID, federal agents detained George, transporting him first to a nearby navy base, then to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles, where he was held for three days and nights. George pleaded with them to explain to him why he was being detained and told them that he didn’t want to miss his daughter’s third birthday.

George’s pleas were met with silence. He was not given a hearing before a judge, a phone call to family, or contact with an attorney. Though he was covered in tear gas and pepper spray, the facility never allowed George to shower. On the second day, George was placed on suicide watch in an isolated cell. While George’s family searched for him frantically, George remained locked in a cell, incommunicado without any explanation of alleged wrongdoing.

He was released with no apology and no charges. He lost work and missed his daughter’s birthday party.

Now, George has taken steps to sue the U.S. government under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) for his unconstitutional detention—by submitting claims to the federal agencies involved. George will need to wait six months before he can file a federal lawsuit against these agencies.

PRESS RELEASE about George’s claims.