By A large-scale federal raid at a Ventura County cannabis operation has reignited national debates over immigration enforcement and labor exploitation after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested 319 illegal aliens and encountered violent resistance from protesters.
The raid, conducted on Thursday, July 10, 2025, targeted Glass House Farms, a sprawling marijuana cultivation site in Camarillo. It marks the second-largest worksite enforcement action by ICE in a single state, trailing only the 2019 poultry plant sweeps in Mississippi that led to nearly 700 arrests.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the operation in a statement on Twitter, writing that “law enforcement rescued 14 children from potential forced labor, exploitation, and trafficking.” The origin of the rescued minors, according to Fox News, includes Mexico and Honduras. Authorities are now reviewing the criminal histories of all 319 individuals taken into custody.
I was just given an update on Thursday’s operation at the marijuana facility in California. @DHSgov law enforcement rescued 14 children from potential forced labor, exploitation, and trafficking.
They arrested 319 illegal aliens.
They faced assaults, violence, and even…
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) July 12, 2025
What began as a federal enforcement action quickly escalated into chaos. Protesters clashed with agents on site, and according to early reports, “federal law enforcement agents were assaulted during the operation, and one combatant appeared to fire a handgun towards agents as the crowd was dispersed with tear gas,” according to Fox News. The United Farm Workers confirmed the death of one farm worker who fell from a 30-foot greenhouse during the raid.
Officials say some of those apprehended posed serious public safety threats. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott posted on Twitter that “this illegal alien was apprehended at the CA marijuana facility. Turns out he had been sentenced to 7 yrs for kidnapping & attempted rape, w/ a prior conviction for attempted child molestation. And this felon was working at the same farm as 10 kids – one being 14 yrs old.”
This illegal alien was apprehended at the CA marijuana facility. Turns out he had been sentenced to 7 yrs for kidnapping & attempted rape, w/ a prior conviction for attempted child molestation.
And this felon was working at the same farm as 10 kids – one being 14 yrs old. https://t.co/lfi55Zj7u1 pic.twitter.com/Eg34hXSelU— CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott (@CBPCommissioner) July 12, 2025
Glass House Farms, one of California’s prominent cannabis producers, is now under federal investigation for potential violations of child labor laws. Public records show its co-founder, Graham Farrar, previously donated $10,000 to Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2018 campaign and contributed to both Democratic and Republican lawmakers who support cannabis legalization.
I am on my way back from Texas, and watched in disbelief as THUGS were violently throwing rocks and bricks at ICE Officers while they were moving down a roadway in their car and/or official vehicle. Tremendous damage was done to these brand new vehicles. I know for a fact that…
— Unofficial Trump on X (@trump_repost) July 12, 2025
Former President Donald Trump, traveling from Texas at the time of the raid, reacted forcefully. In a Truth Social post, he wrote, “I am on my way back from Texas, and watched in disbelief as THUGS were violently throwing rocks and bricks at ICE Officers while they were moving down a roadway in their car and/or official vehicle.” He continued, “Tremendous damage was done to these brand new vehicles. I know for a fact that these Officers are having a hard time with allowing this to happen in that it shows such total disrespect for LAW AND ORDER.” Trump concluded by declaring, “I am giving Total Authorization for ICE to protect itself, just like they protect the Public. I never want to see a car carrying a Law Enforcement Officer attacked again! AUTHORIZATION IMMEDIATELY GRANTED FOR ARREST AND INCARCERATION.”
[Read More: State Department Employees Embarrass Themselves]
