NOTE: VIDEO AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE.
Federal immigration agents, with support from the National Guard, launched coordinated raids on two cannabis farms in Southern California on July 10, 2025, leading to the arrest of hundreds of undocumented workers and the discovery of unaccompanied minors, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The targeted sites included Glass House Farms facilities in Camarillo and Carpinteria. Aerial footage from Sky5 captured heavily armed agents detaining workers in the fields of the Camarillo site, while large crowds of protesters began gathering nearby. Clashes eventually escalated into violence, prompting authorities to deploy tear gas and less-lethal rounds to disperse protesters who had blocked traffic on Laguna Road.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Rodney Scott stated on X (formerly Twitter) that 10 undocumented minors were found at the Camarillo farm, eight of whom were unaccompanied. DHS confirmed the children were rescued from what may involve serious violations of child labor laws, human trafficking, or smuggling operations. Glass House Farms is currently under federal investigation.
In a pointed statement, CBP Commissioner Scott criticized California’s leadership, writing, “This is Newsom’s California,” referring to Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat widely speculated to be preparing a 2028 presidential campaign. DHS followed up with a blunt message directed at Newsom: “Why are there children working at a marijuana facility, Gavin?”
The raids were part of a larger federal operation authorized under President Donald Trump, who has returned to office following his 2024 reelection. Trump posted on Truth Social that he had given “total authorization” to immigration agents to defend themselves following reports of violent clashes during the operation.
“I watched in disbelief as THUGS were violently throwing rocks and bricks at ICE officers,” Trump wrote. “Tremendous damage was done to their vehicles.” He directed DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Enforcement Coordinator Tom Homan to instruct federal officers to arrest anyone assaulting them “using whatever means is necessary.”
The unrest took a tragic turn when 57-year-old farmworker Jaime Alanis died after falling through a greenhouse roof while allegedly attempting to evade agents. The incident is under investigation, and civil rights groups have condemned the raid’s handling.
In a separate development, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli confirmed the federal presence on-site, posting that “multiple individuals” were arrested for interfering with the operation. He later posted a video showing a man allegedly firing at agents. The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s conviction.
The raids have reignited national debate over immigration enforcement, child labor, and California’s regulation of its cannabis industry. While federal officials argue the operation was necessary to protect vulnerable children and enforce immigration law, critics call it a show of political force with severe human consequences. DHS maintains that the children were rescued from exploitative conditions and that further investigations are ongoing.
https://twitter.com/USAttyEssayli/status/1943522825194868753
