Van Nuys car wash owner, 80, files million lawsuit claiming ICE caused serious injuries during a raid.

Rafie Shouhed, an 80-year-old owner of a car wash in Van Nuys, has initiated a civil rights lawsuit against multiple federal agencies, claiming they severely injured him during an immigration raid at his establishment last year. Shouhed is demanding million in damages from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Border Patrol, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles federal court on May 21.

The allegations stem from an incident on September 9, when Shouhed, a naturalized U.S. citizen who immigrated from Tehran decades ago, was present at the Valley Car Wash on Van Nuys Boulevard. According to the lawsuit, masked agents abruptly entered the premises during the late morning hours, prompting a bewildered Shouhed to attempt dialogue with the agents. He asserts that he sought to provide evidence that his employees were authorized to work legally. However, the situation escalated, leading to claims that agents used excessive force against him.

The suit details that surveillance footage allegedly shows an agent knocking Shouhed to the ground as he sought clarification about the raid. Following this, three agents reportedly restrained him, with one placing a knee on his neck while inflicting additional physical pressure on him. Shouhed claims he pleaded for help, mentioning his recent heart surgery and inability to breathe — yet these cries were allegedly ignored by the