Federal immigration authorities encountered resistance Thursday during enforcement operations at two marijuana farms north of Los Angeles.
The raids, carried out at Glass House Farms facilities in Camarillo and Carpinteria, targeted the employment of individuals living in the country illegally, according to federal officials.
Federal agents executed warrants related to immigration violations at the state-licensed cannabis operations, which remain illegal under federal law despite California’s marijuana legalization.
Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?
Protesters arrived shortly after the raids began, confronting law enforcement officers.
Federal agents deployed tear gas and smoke devices in an effort to disperse the growing crowd.
Military helicopters were seen flying low over the fields during the operation, a tactic used to identify individuals attempting to evade capture.
“It is becoming increasingly apparent that the actions taken by ICE are bold and aggressive, demonstrating insensitivity towards the direct impact on our community,” Oxnard Mayor Luis McArthur stated on social media.
This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year
“These actions are causing unnecessary distress and harm. I remain committed to working alongside our Attorney General and the Governor’s office to explore potential legal avenues to address these activities.”
Video captured by media outlets showed several individuals being detained at the Camarillo site.
BREAKING: Authorities are confirming they have found MULTIPLE UNACCOMPANIED ALIEN CHILDREN at the marijuana facility.
The company will now be investigated for child labor violations, according to @CBPCommissioner.
Democrats support this. https://t.co/piMniRYktE pic.twitter.com/4wiK4mR8Lf
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) July 11, 2025
U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli confirmed that an unknown suspect fired at federal officers during the operation and announced a reward related to the incident.
🚨 BREAKING: A rioter has just OPENED FIRE on ICE agents during a standoff in California
DEMOCRATS ARE ENABLING THIS!
START LOCKING UP POLITICIANS FOR INCITEMENT! pic.twitter.com/2cX3Haj2rD
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 11, 2025
“FBI has issued a $50,000 award for information leading to the conviction of an Unknown Subject who appeared to fire a pistol at Federal Law Enforcement Officers near Camarillo,” Essayli posted on X.
“The shooting occurred on 7/10/25 at approximately 2:26pm on Laguna Rd between Wood Rd and Las Posas Rd.”
FBI has issued a $50,000 award for information leading to the conviction of an Unknown Subject who appeared to fire a pistol at Federal Law Enforcement Officers near Camarillo. The shooting occurred on 7/10/25 at approximately 2:26pm on Laguna Rd between Wood Rd and Las Posas Rd.… pic.twitter.com/XG94sTQEVR
— U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) July 11, 2025
According to the Ventura County Fire Department, four individuals were transported to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. An additional three were treated on scene.
U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) visited the Carpinteria location and criticized the scope and conduct of the operation.
“This is deplorable. This should not be happening on our soil,” Carbajal said in a video.
“Individuals dressed like military personnel on our soil. We don’t do that in America.”
“This was overkill. This was ridiculous. This was a bunch of crap,” he added.
I went to Casitas Pass Road in Carpinteria today after learning ICE was conducting a militarized raid targeting farm workers. As a Member of Congress, I have the right to conduct oversight, but I was denied entry. Here’s what happened. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/bnrpv6Axot
— Rep. Salud Carbajal (@RepCarbajal) July 10, 2025
The Camarillo and Carpinteria raids follow another immigration enforcement action conducted earlier in the week at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles.
That operation drew condemnation from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom, who have repeatedly objected to the Trump administration’s enforcement efforts targeting individuals residing in the country illegally.
Governor Newsom criticized the Camarillo raid in a post on X that included footage of the tear gas deployment.
“Kids running from tear gas, crying on the phone because their mother was just taken from the fields,” Newsom wrote. “Trump calls me ‘Newscum’ — but he’s the real scum.”
Kids running from tear gas, crying on the phone because their mother was just taken from the fields.
Trump calls me “Newscum” — but he’s the real scum. pic.twitter.com/fj0l25mRBN
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 11, 2025
In response, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott posted details about what agents encountered.
“Here’s some breaking news: 10 juveniles were found at this marijuana facility – all illegal aliens, 8 of them unaccompanied. It’s now under investigation for child labor violations,” Scott stated.
Here’s some breaking news: 10 juveniles were found at this marijuana facility – all illegal aliens, 8 of them unaccompanied. It’s now under investigation for child labor violations.
This is Newsom’s California. https://t.co/Z1XoRMtBSN
— CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott (@CBPCommissioner) July 11, 2025
Why are there children working at a marijuana facility, Gavin? https://t.co/YEgzH7HfTs
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) July 11, 2025
Newsom’s Press Office also claimed that White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller was directing the immigration enforcement strategy.
“Instead of supporting the businesses and workers that drive our economy and way of life, Stephen Miller’s tactics evoke chaos, fear and terror within our communities at every turn,” he posted.
“At Miller’s direction, Trump’s agents continue to detain U.S. citizens and racially profile Americans, ripping families apart and disappearing parents and workers into cruel federal detention centers to meet their self-imposed arrest quotas.”
MILLER NOT TRUMP IS RUNNING THE U.S. GOVERNMENT !!
Instead of supporting the businesses and workers that drive our economy and way of life, Stephen Miller’s tactics evoke chaos, fear and terror within our communities at every turn.
At Miller’s direction, Trump’s agents… https://t.co/Orem4HveRQ
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) July 11, 2025
Mayor Bass has called for an end to such enforcement actions in Los Angeles.
In addition, Los Angeles and eight other cities have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that the methods used by federal immigration officers are unconstitutional and aimed at intimidation rather than public safety.
Federal authorities have not released an official statement on the number of arrests made or the immigration statuses of those detained in Thursday’s raids.
Investigations into labor practices at the facilities are ongoing.
This is a marijuana facility.
The growth of OG Kush is not the backbone of our food chain. https://t.co/PxtmZ0L5x9
— Alex Pfeiffer (@Pfeiffer47) July 11, 2025
Read the full article here