Camarillo, California - July 11, 2025
A federal immigration raid at Glass House Farms, one of California’s largest state-licensed cannabis cultivators, erupted into chaos on July 10, sparking violent clashes between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), National Guard troops, and hundreds of protesters. The operation targeted undocumented workers at the company’s Camarillo and Carpinteria facilities, resulting in multiple detentions and injuries among demonstrators, including Carpinteria City Councilmember Mónica Solórzano.
Federal agents arrived early Thursday, executing search warrants and detaining approximately 100 workers amid heavy security and roadblocks. Despite cannabis cultivation being legal under California law, federal immigration laws prompted the enforcement action. The presence of armed and masked agents triggered swift community mobilization, with immigrant rights activists, local officials, and residents converging to protest the raids.
Tensions escalated rapidly as agents deployed tear gas, smoke canisters, rubber bullets, and other crowd-control munitions against demonstrators attempting to check on detained workers and voice opposition. Several protesters required medical attention, with at least three hospitalized. Witnesses described chaotic scenes, including people dousing their faces with milk to alleviate tear gas effects. A viral video showed a man allegedly firing a handgun toward federal agents, prompting an FBI manhunt for the suspect.
Local leaders condemned the raids as militarized and inhumane. Congressman Salud Carbajal criticized the denial of his access to the site and the aggressive federal tactics. Oxnard Mayor Luis McArthur and immigrant advocates voiced concern for the farmworkers, many of whom are vital to California’s agricultural economy yet now live in fear. The raids also uncovered 10 juveniles, including eight unaccompanied minors, allegedly working at the farms, raising child labor violation investigations.
Glass House Farms stated it fully complied with the search warrants but did not comment further. The raid underscores the fraught intersection of federal immigration enforcement and state-legal cannabis operations, igniting fierce debate over workers’ rights, public safety, and immigration policy. The incident is expected to fuel ongoing protests and legal challenges amid growing scrutiny of the Trump administration’s immigration tactics in California.
Related questions and answers
Why were federal agents raiding a legal cannabis farm in California?
Although cannabis is legal in California, federal immigration laws still apply, leading ICE to target undocumented workers at licensed farms.
What injuries occurred during the protests?
Several protesters, including a city council member, sustained injuries from tear gas, rubber bullets, and physical altercations; at least three were hospitalized.
What legal and political responses followed the raid?
Local officials condemned the raids as militarized; investigations into child labor violations were launched after juveniles were found working at the farms.
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