A U.S. citizen mother and her three daughters experienced a harrowing night when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents mistakenly raided their Oklahoma City home.
According to NBC News, approximately 20 armed federal agents forcefully entered the family's residence during a nighttime raid, confiscating their phones, laptops, and life savings while executing a search warrant intended for previous residents involved in a human smuggling investigation.
The family, who had recently relocated from Maryland to Oklahoma City in pursuit of a more affordable lifestyle, found themselves caught in the crossfire of a federal investigation targeting eight Guatemalan nationals indicted in the Northern District of Oklahoma.
The mother, identified only as "Marisa" for privacy reasons, repeatedly emphasized their U.S. citizenship status during the traumatic encounter.
Federal agents' controversial actions during midnight raid
The raid occurred while the family was asleep, with agents bursting through the door in complete darkness. Initially, the terrified mother feared they were being robbed or that her daughters were being kidnapped. The agents identified themselves as representatives of multiple federal agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, and ICE.
The mother shared her experience with KFOR, describing how agents forced her daughters to stand outside in the rain while barely dressed. One daughter was particularly humiliated when made to change clothes in front of male agents.
The agents' dismissive attitude towards the family's protests compounded their distress. Despite the mother's repeated assertions of their citizenship, the officials proceeded with the search and seizure of their belongings.
Devastating impact on innocent family members
The mother expressed her frustration at being left without resources after the raid:
I said you took my phone. We have no money. I just moved here. I have to feed my children. I'm going to need gas money. I need to be able to get around. Like, how do you just leave me like this? Like an abandoned dog.
The confiscation of their belongings has left the family in a precarious situation, with no timeline for when their possessions might be returned. Agents informed them the wait could range from days to months, leaving them without access to their devices or savings.
DHS confirmation and investigation details
A senior Department of Homeland Security official acknowledged the mistaken raid, confirming it was part of a broader investigation into human smuggling. The search warrant was intended for the previous residents of the property, who were the actual targets of the investigation.
The U.S. Marshals Service has distanced itself from the incident, with Deputy Chief of Public Affairs Brady McCarron explicitly stating they were not involved. The FBI directed all inquiries to Homeland Security Investigations, the DHS agency responsible for investigating criminal cases.
Looking forward to resolution and accountability
The midnight raid on an innocent U.S. citizen family's home has raised serious concerns about federal law enforcement procedures and accountability. The mother and her three daughters continue to grapple with the psychological impact of the incident while awaiting the return of their confiscated belongings.
The case highlights the unintended consequences of federal immigration enforcement actions when proper verification procedures aren't followed. As the family seeks to rebuild their sense of security in their new home, questions remain about potential compensation for their ordeal and changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
