About 200 arrested in immigration raids on Southern California farms, feds say

Federal immigration authorities stated Friday they arrested about 200 immigrants suspected of being within the nation illegally in raids a day earlier on two California hashish farm websites. Protesters engaged in a tense standoff with authorities throughout an operation at one of many farms. 

The Division of Homeland Safety stated in an announcement that authorities executed prison search warrants in Carpinteria and Camarillo, California, on Thursday. They arrested immigrants suspected of being within the nation illegally, and there have been additionally at the least 10 immigrant kids on web site, the assertion stated.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Safety have been each a part of the operation, the assertion stated. 

Two DHS officers instructed CBS Information on Friday that federal brokers had prison warrants associated to the harboring and employment of immigrants within the U.S. illegally when conducting the operation on the hashish farm.

4 U.S. residents have been arrested for “assaulting or resisting officers,” the division stated.

“We are going to prosecute to the fullest extent of the legislation anybody who assaults or doxes federal legislation enforcement,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated within the DHS assertion.

Authorities have been providing a $50,000 reward for info resulting in the arrest of 1 particular person suspected of firing a gun at federal brokers. Some protesters have been additionally captured on video throwing rocks.

Through the raid, crowds of individuals gathered outdoors Glass Home Farms in Camarillo to hunt details about their kin and protest immigration enforcement. Authorities clad in military-style helmets and uniforms confronted off with the demonstrators. Acrid inexperienced and white billowing smoke then pressured group members to retreat.

In a put up to Fact Social on Friday evening that gave the impression to be in reference to the violence through the Camarillo protest, President Trump stated he was “directing Secretary of Homeland Safety, Kristi Noem, and Border Czar, Tom Homan, to instruct all ICE, Homeland Safety, or another Legislation Enforcement Officer who’s on the receiving finish of thrown rocks, bricks, or another type of assault, to cease their automotive, and arrest these SLIMEBALLS, utilizing no matter means is critical to take action.”

Glass Home, a licensed California hashish grower, stated in an announcement that immigration brokers had legitimate warrants. The corporate stated employees have been detained, and it’s serving to present them with authorized illustration. The farm additionally grows tomatoes and cucumbers.

“Glass Home has by no means knowingly violated relevant hiring practices and doesn’t and has by no means employed minors,” the assertion stated.

It’s authorized to develop and promote hashish in California with correct licensing.

The state’s Division of Hashish Management stated it “noticed no minors on the premises” throughout a web site go to to the farm in Might 2025. After receiving one other criticism, the division opened an lively investigation, in keeping with a division spokesperson.

On Friday evening, a federal decide ordered the Trump administration to briefly halt immigration raids in Southern California in response to a lawsuit from the ACLU and immigrant rights teams. 

A number of damage throughout Camarillo farm raid

At the least 12 individuals have been injured through the raid and protest, stated Andrew Dowd, a spokesperson for the Ventura County Fireplace Division. Eight have been taken to St. John’s Regional Medical Heart and the Ventura County Medical Heart, and 4 have been handled on the scene and launched. Dowd stated he didn’t have info on the extent of the accidents of these hospitalized.

The hospital didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.

The United Farm Staff union stated on social media that one of many Camarillo farm employees had died from accidents suffered through the raid. Nevertheless, the household of the employee took to social media to refute that, writing that he remained hospitalized on life assist.  

In a put up to social media on Friday night, the Division of Homeland Safety stated the critically injured employee in query “was not in and has not been in” the custody of Customs and Border Safety or Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“Though he was not being pursued by legislation enforcement, this particular person climbed as much as the roof of a inexperienced home and fell 30 toes,” DHS stated. “CBP instantly known as a medivac to the scene to get him care as shortly as potential.”

Protesters conflict with federal immigration brokers

Family members and advocates headed to the farm about 50 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles to attempt to discover out what was happening, and commenced protesting outdoors. 

Federal authorities shaped a line blocking the highway main by means of farm fields to the corporate’s greenhouses. Protesters have been seen shouting at brokers carrying camouflage gear, helmets and fuel masks. The billowing smoke drove protesters to retreat. It wasn’t clear why authorities threw the canisters or in the event that they launched chemical substances reminiscent of tear fuel.

Ventura County fireplace authorities responding to a 911 name of individuals having hassle respiration stated three individuals have been taken to close by hospitals.

On the farm, brokers arrested employees and eliminated them by bus. Others, together with U.S. residents, have been detained on the web site for hours whereas brokers investigated.

A number of employees hid all through the farm through the raid, rising Friday morning. They included Jesus, whose niece, Jennifer Martinez, spoke to CBS Information.

“They’re simply right here working, residing,” Martinez instructed CBS Information. “They’re simply right here tearing households aside and terrorizing them.”

Ruby Ginez instructed CBS Information that a number of of her kin labored on the farm.

“An aunt was taken,” Ginez stated. “A mother was taken. It could possibly be a citizen, not a U.S. citizen, it does not matter.”

Ginez disclosed that she herself was pulled over by ICE lately whereas taking her youngster to high school and needed to show she was a U.S. citizen.

The incident got here as federal immigration brokers have ramped up arrests in Southern California at automotive washes, farms and Residence Depot parking heaps, stoking widespread worry amongst immigrant communities.