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Van Nuys Car Wash Owner Files $50 Million Claim Over Injuries in Sept. 9 Immigration Raid

The filing triggers a six-month agency review that could lead to federal litigation.

Overview

  • Rafie Ollah Shouhed, 79, alleges masked federal agents shoved and body-slammed him during a Sept. 9 enforcement action at Valley Car Wash in Los Angeles.
  • Surveillance video released by his attorneys appears to show agents knocking the U.S. citizen to the ground inside and outside the business.
  • Shouhed says he was handcuffed, taken to the Metropolitan Detention Center, held nearly 12 hours without medical care, and released without charges.
  • DHS says five undocumented immigrants were arrested and that the owner impeded officers, a characterization Shouhed and his lawyer dispute.
  • The $50 million administrative claim names DHS, CBP, Border Patrol and ICE, with ICE telling one outlet it was not involved in the operation.