79-year-old California car wash owner files $50 million civil rights claim

First, identified linkable resources in order of appearance:
1. DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) accepts complaints about alleged abuses
2. Guidance on how to file is available on the DHS site: https://www.dhs.gov/crcl

I have added only verified .gov links and followed the rules (only first mentions, exact resource names, preserved content). Below is the complete article with the allowed government links inserted.

(VAN NUYS, CALIFORNIA) A 79-year-old U.S. citizen and small business owner, Rafie Ollah Shouhed, has filed a $50 million civil rights claim against the Department of Homeland Security and federal immigration authorities. He alleges he was violently injured during an immigration raid at his Van Nuys car wash in September 2025.

Surveillance video released by his attorney shows agents—identified by Shouhed as ICE officers—forcing him to the ground inside and outside the shop. He says agents pressed a knee on his neck while several sat on his back, ignored his medical pleas, and detained him for nearly 12 hours before releasing him.

Shouhed’s claim accuses federal officers of violating their own rules, the U.S. Constitution, and California law when they stormed his business during what officials described as a worksite operation. His attorney, V. James DeSimone, says the incident left Shouhed with multiple broken ribs, a brain injury from being slammed headfirst, and heavy bruising on his arms. The claim seeks $50 million in damages for injuries and rights violations.

ICE officials said five workers were taken into custody that day as undocumented immigrants from Guatemala and Mexico, including one person agents say was deported twice in 2015. ICE also says agents arrested Shouhed for “assaulting and impeding a federal officer,” a charge his attorney disputes.

According to Shouhed, he tried to explain he is a U.S. citizen and that his employees were authorized to work, but agents cut him off and warned, “You do not F with ICE.”

Allegations and injuries

In interviews and legal filings, Shouhed describes a chaotic scene the moment agents entered his business. He says he repeatedly told officers he has a heart condition and needed to move slowly, but he was body-slammed and pinned despite those warnings.

Surveillance images reviewed by his attorney, and shared with local media, appear to show a forceful takedown inside the office and again outside near the wash bay. He says he pleaded for medical help that did not come for hours.

Shouhed reports the following injuries from the encounter:
– Broken ribs and severe chest pain
– A head injury caused by being slammed headfirst
– Bruising and swelling to both arms

His wife says she feared for his life, given his heart condition and age, as she watched officers restrain him. The family says the stress has persisted long after the raid, with Shouhed experiencing pain and anxiety that now affect his ability to manage daily tasks and to run his shop.

According to his lawyer, the legal claim argues agents used excessive force and ignored clear signs of medical risk, then detained Shouhed for nearly 12 hours at a federal facility before releasing him without first responding to his medical needs. The claim further alleges agents failed to follow federal policies meant to limit force and protect bystanders during worksite actions.

As of September 26, 2025, the civil rights claim has been filed; there is no public record yet of a lawsuit or a more detailed government response beyond ICE’s initial statement.

ICE response and legal posture

• ICE confirmed the arrest of five workers during the operation and stated that one had prior deportations.
• The agency also said Shouhed was arrested for “assaulting and impeding a federal officer.” ICE did not provide details beyond that statement.
• Federal agencies typically limit comment on pending claims; this case appears to be at an early stage.

The government will have a window to review the claim and decide whether to settle, deny, or take other action before any lawsuit moves forward in court.

Community impact and broader context

The case has stirred debate in Van Nuys, California, where small businesses often employ mixed-status workforces and face pressure to comply with both federal employment verification rules and state-level protections.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this kind of clash at work sites highlights the fine line employers walk when federal officers arrive without much warning: business owners try to protect their staff and premises while avoiding any interference that agents might interpret as obstruction.

The surveillance video has driven the public discussion:
– Supporters of Shouhed say the images show clear overreach against an elderly citizen with a known health condition.
– Others argue agents must make fast decisions in uncertain situations, especially during operations that may involve people with past deportations.

For immigrants and employers alike, the stakes are high:
– Workers fear detention and removal.
– Owners worry about criminal exposure and civil liability.
– When force is used, the fallout can be long-lasting: families lose income, businesses struggle to reopen, and communities are left shaken.

Legal questions and possible outcomes

The legal questions now center on:
1. Whether the force used was reasonable under the circumstances.
2. Whether officers followed federal rules governing worksite operations and use-of-force.
3. Whether Shouhed’s detention and alleged denial of medical help crossed constitutional lines.

The claim cites both federal and California protections. While the government has not detailed its internal review, Shouhed’s team says the injuries and video evidence support a civil rights case for damages.

Advocates note that elderly citizens caught in workplace sweeps present special risk. Medical warnings—such as a heart condition—should prompt de-escalation, they argue. Shouhed’s lawyer says agents failed on that front. ICE’s statement suggests a very different view: that the situation rose to “assaulting and impeding a federal officer,” which, if proven, can carry serious consequences.

How to report civil rights concerns

For readers seeking official avenues to report civil rights concerns related to federal immigration actions, the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) accepts complaints about alleged abuses.

Guidance on how to file is available on the DHS site: DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL)

Note: That process does not replace a lawsuit, but it can prompt an internal review and policy recommendations.

What to watch next

Shouhed’s claim will test how federal agencies respond when their conduct faces public scrutiny and legal challenge. If the government denies the claim, his lawyer says they are prepared to file suit seeking $50 million in damages.

Watch for these developments:
– Whether ICE or DHS releases more detail about the operation
– Any decision on the civil rights claim, including settlement talks
– Possible criminal charges or the dismissal of the “assaulting and impeding” allegation
– Medical documentation submitted by Shouhed’s counsel to support injury claims

The outcome will matter far beyond one car wash. It will signal how federal immigration enforcement balances officer safety, public safety, and civil rights—especially when bystanders are older, frail, or, as here, U.S. citizens 🇺🇸.