US Citizen and Army Veteran Detained in Immigration Raid: Family’s Urgent Search for Answers

George Retes, a 25-year-old Army vet and dad of two, was gearing up for his daughter’s birthday party. He had planned a big celebration with a bounce house, family, and gifts. But everything changed when he was detained by federal immigration agents during a protest at a California marijuana farm where he worked.

On that day, Retes showed up at Glass House Farms to find chaos. There were protesters and federal agents everywhere. He identified himself as a U.S. citizen trying to go to work, but the agents didn’t listen. When he tried to leave, things escalated quickly. They surrounded his car, yelling conflicting orders. In the confusion, they shattered his window and used pepper spray on him.

Retes remembered feeling panicked. “I told them I was trying to get out of here,” he said. Instead, he was pulled from his car, thrown to the ground, and handcuffed without any explanation.

For three long days, he was held in a cell. Bright lights never turned off, and medical care was denied for his wounds. He thought about missing his daughter’s special day, feeling lost and in pain. “I just wanted to hold my kids again,” Retes said.

The immigration raid was part of a larger trend under strict enforcement policies aimed at worksites, causing fear in immigrant communities. In a recent statement from the Department of Homeland Security, officials acknowledged that many U.S. citizens were caught up in these operations, including Retes. The agency claimed he was being detained for alleged assault; Retes vehemently denies this, stating he never harmed anyone.

Eventually, on July 12, he was released without charges; he spent those days wondering if anyone even knew where he was. Social media buzzed with reactions to his story, highlighting how this might be an example of how immigration enforcement is affecting American families, irrespective of citizenship status.

Health experts have noted the psychological toll such experiences can have, especially on veterans like Retes who have already faced trauma. Studies show that wrongful detentions can lead to long-lasting anxiety and trust issues.

Once free, Retes rushed home, embraced by his kids and wife. His family celebrated his return, but the emotional scars of the experience remain. He apologized to his daughter for missing her birthday, grappling with a feeling he described as “something I’ll have to live with for the rest of my life.”

Retes’s story underscores the importance of examining how immigration laws affect both immigrants and U.S. citizens. It raises questions about accountability and the need for reform in enforcement practices.



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