Jared McClain is a senior attorney at the Institute for Justice, based in Washington, D.C., focusing on government accountability, the First Amendment, property rights, and administrative law. He joined IJ in February 2022 and previously worked at the New Civil Liberties Alliance.
Case
A U.S. citizen construction worker in Alabama was detained by ICE three times despite showing a valid REAL ID each time. His lawsuit challenges DHS's warrantless site raids, and a federal judge temporarily blocked the practices in September 2026.
Role at the time: Senior Attorney, Institute for Justice, counsel for Leo Garcia Venegas
Statement summary
Institute for Justice senior attorney Jared McClain condemned DHS's construction-site raid practices as the lawsuit was filed, describing agents as detaining workers based on appearance rather than individualized evidence.
“Armed and masked federal officers are raiding private construction sites in Alabama, detaining whoever they think looks undocumented”
McClain's statement directly condemns DHS's construction-site raid and detention practices as the product of profiling by appearance rather than lawful, individualized suspicion — the conduct under scrutiny in this case.
Statement dates: September 30, 2025
Statement dates: September 30, 2025
Statement dates: September 30, 2025
