Farm Worker Dies After Immigration Raid in California

A farm worker has died following injuries sustained during a U.S. immigration raid on a legal cannabis farm in California, where clashes broke out and over 200 undocumented migrants were arrested.

The operation, which unfolded Thursday at marijuana cultivation sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo—roughly 56 miles from Los Angeles—sparked fierce resistance from demonstrators and drew national attention. The following day, the United Farm Workers union announced on X that the injured farm worker had died “as a result of yesterday’s immigration enforcement action.”

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), however, clarified that the individual was not in custody at the time of the incident. Tricia McLaughlin, a DHS spokeswoman, explained, “Although he was not being pursued by law enforcement, this individual climbed up to the roof of a greenhouse and fell 30 feet (10 meters). (Customs and Border Patrol) immediately called a medivac to the scene to get him care as quickly as possible.”

DHS reported that in addition to the arrests, ten children were rescued from “potential exploitation, forced labour, and human trafficking.”

Glass House Brands, the company operating the farms, stated it “has never knowingly violated applicable hiring practices and does not and has never employed minors.”

Amid the escalating tensions, former President Donald Trump lashed out at protesters who clashed with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during the raid. Writing on Truth Social, he condemned demonstrators seen throwing projectiles at law enforcement, saying, “I am giving Total Authorisation for ICE to protect itself, just like they protect the Public.”

“I watched as thugs were throwing rocks and bricks at ICE vehicles, causing tremendous damage,” Trump said. “I am authorising law enforcement officers who are on the receiving end of thrown rocks, bricks, or any other form of assault, to stop their car, and arrest these SLIMEBALLS, using whatever means is necessary to do so.”

The Department also revealed that more than 500 protesters tried to disrupt the operation. Four U.S. citizens are now facing charges for assaulting or resisting officers, while a $50,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of a suspect accused of firing a gun at law enforcement during the chaos.

Tear gas was deployed to disperse protesters, and ICE vehicles sustained damage, as shown in television footage capturing the unrest.

In a significant legal development, District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong ordered an immediate halt to the use of “roving patrols” by federal agents in Los Angeles. The judge cited unlawful detentions of suspected undocumented migrants without probable cause.

“These arrests were being made based upon race alone—on whether a person was speaking Spanish or English with an accent, or because of their place of work—and ordered them stopped,” the judge ruled.

The decision came as part of growing scrutiny over the conduct of immigration enforcement agencies, particularly in Democratic-led California. Governor Gavin Newsom, who has publicly opposed the deployment of National Guard troops to contain the protests, has so far failed in his efforts to have them withdrawn.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the Camarillo farm was subdued on Friday, as workers waited in line to retrieve their belongings and outstanding wages.

“We’ve been here since six this morning asking questions but they’re not giving us any information,” said Saul Munoz, a 43-year-old Colombian whose son was among those detained. “I just want to know how he’s doing. Bring him back to me and if it’s time for us to leave, we’ll leave.

“The truth is the American dream is no longer the American dream,” he added.