For 35 years, the Institute for Justice has come to the aid of real people fighting outrageous government abuse.
Arlington, Virginia
Joined August 2008
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Federal agents seized $450,000 from Mario's lawful business with no explanation.
Now he's taking them to court.
🧵
In February 2025, agents with the IRS and Homeland Security Investigations raided Ayala’s Mini Market in Glendale, Arizona. They seized cash, documents, computers, and personal cell phones, but never provided owner Mario Ayala with an explanation for the seizure or the promised information about next steps.
More than a year and a half later, the federal government is still holding Mario's property despite his efforts to get it back.
ij.org/case/arizona-small-bu…
At a press conference in October 2026, Mario and his attorneys from the Institute for Justice discuss his fight to recover his property and hold the federal government accountable.
His federal court filing argues that the prolonged seizure violates the Fourth Amendment and federal civil forfeiture laws, which place limits on the government's power to seize and retain private property.
Watch the full press conference here:
nitter.gq/i/broadcasts/1OGwbnjdX…
Press Conference: Feds Seized Nearly $1.4 Million. Now This Business Owner Is Suing. nitter.gq/i/broadcasts/1aKbdEjDB…
Federal agents seized nearly $1.4 million from Steven Bailey’s currency wholesale business, Global Coin Logistics. No one at the company has been charged with a crime, and neither agency has told Steven what law he or his company supposedly broke.
Now Steven has teamed up with the Institute for Justice to challenge the seizures in two federal lawsuits against the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Learn more about Steven’s fight to get his company’s money back—and why the government must explain itself when it takes your property.
Learn more: ij.org/case/global-coin-logi…
Institute for Justice retweeted
Want to pay MORE to file your taxes?
Congress may mandate #OccupationalLicensing for tax preparers, 12 yrs after courts struck down #IRS's attempt to do so via regs.
@IJ & a #freemarket coalition oppose this costly mandate, which will increase costs to #consumers for tax prep + burden nearly half a million tax preparers, likely driving upwards of 100,000 small tax prep businesses to close shop.
The #licensing provision is in the TAS Act, which has already passed the Senate, so it's up to the House of Representatives to stop this burdensome new licensing scheme. @HouseGOP
@TaxNotes covers our coalition letter to @SpeakerJohnson here:
taxnotes.com/featured-news/c…
More than 20 years ago, Melony Armstrong stood up for the freedom to earn an honest living—and won.
Today, Melony needs our help.
The building that houses her salon, braiding academy, and youth training programs is in jeopardy. Learn more about Melony's fight to preserve Naturally Speaking here: gofundme.com/f/help-melony-s…
Institute for Justice retweeted
In one week, @IJ has filed three lawsuits addressing the same constitutional problem: the feds' habit of taking cash first and explaining never. 1/
Institute for Justice retweeted
Read about @IJ's latest #forfeiture case, challenging reckless currency seizures by #DEA & #CBP.
#DueProcess requires that when the government wants to forfeit your property, it has to tell you WHY.
#CivilForfeiture
The feds seized $1.4M from a currency wholesaler. He’s suing in San Diego to stop the practice. sandiegouniontribune.com/202…
Federal agents seized nearly $1.4 million from Steven Bailey’s business. No criminal charges. No explanation of what law he supposedly broke.
Now he’s teaming up with IJ to fight back.
This is his story.
The government cannot keep your money without telling you what you did wrong.
Global Coin Logistics sells dollars to ATM providers throughout the U.S.
Last year, the DEA & CBP seized more than $1 million from GCL during two airport seizures w/o charging anyone with a crime.
Today, GCL teamed up with @IJ to sue.
@Alex_Riggins has the exclusive 👇
Institute for Justice retweeted
Sad news. @IJ's fight for an animal sanctuary in North Carolina has come to an end after the state supreme court declined to hear the case. Kim and her family keep animals that have nowhere else to go, some that the county animal control ask them to take. Zoning rules keep them from freely operating, even though their neighbors support the work. Release here: ij.org/press-release/animal-…
More than 20 years ago, Melony Armstrong stood up for the freedom to earn an honest living—and won.
With IJ's help, Melony challenged Mississippi's burdensome licensing laws and her fight led to a landmark reform that has opened doors for more than 6,700 braiders across Mississippi and inspired the feature film #FreedomHair.
Today, Melony needs our help.
The building that houses her salon, braiding academy, and youth training programs is in jeopardy. Learn more about Melony's fight to preserve Naturally Speaking here: gofundme.com/f/help-melony-s…
Inside the Arizona Microschool the Government Wants to Shut Down nitter.gq/i/broadcasts/1yGBePgdp…
Press Conference: Arizona Teacher Fights County's Attempt to Shut Down Her School nitter.gq/i/broadcasts/1XGygwdOe…
Press Conference: Business Owner Sues Feds Over $460,000 Seizure nitter.gq/i/broadcasts/1OGwbnjdX…
16 months of silence is not an investigation. It's an unconstitutional confiscation.
youtube.com/watch?v=IN9ut1uf…
Institute for Justice retweeted
As IJ Attorney Betsy Sanz says about this case, "the government cannot take your stuff and then ghost you."
youtube.com/watch?v=IN9ut1uf…
Institute for Justice retweeted
Last February, DHS and the IRS raided 19 Phoenix-area money services businesses and seized money without ever charging anyone with a crime.
Today, @IJ teamed up with one of those businesses, Ayala's Mini Market to file a federal lawsuit. 🧵
ij.org/press-release/glendal…
