Van Nuys Owner Files $50M Civil Rights Claim

Rafie Ollah Shouhed, a 79-year-old Van Nuys car wash owner, filed a $50 million civil rights claim against the Department of Homeland Security and related federal agencies over a Sept. 9 immigration raid at his business. Shouhed alleges masked agents from DHS, CBP, Border Patrol and ICE shoved and body-slammed him, pinned him to the pavement—with one kneeling on his neck—ignored his pleas that he'd had heart surgery and could not breathe, and held him nearly 12 hours without medication or phone access before releasing him without charges. He says several employees were detained and that he saw children brought in shackles, and surveillance video provided to reporters appears to show agents pushing and knocking him down. His attorneys say he was taken to the hospital after release with multiple broken ribs, elbow injuries and post-concussive symptoms consistent with a traumatic brain injury. CBP confirmed a targeted enforcement operation at the location but said a U.S. citizen 'obstructed' the operation, disobeyed commands and was arrested for assaulting and impeding a federal agent, a characterization that conflicts with Shouhed’s account.