Immigration Raids on California Cannabis Farms Lead to Arrests and Protests

On Thursday, federal immigration authorities arrested around 200 people believed to be residing in the United States illegally during raids on two cannabis farms in California. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that criminal search warrants were carried out in Carpinteria and Camarillo, where authorities encountered both tensions with demonstrators and multiple arrests, including four U.S. citizens for resisting law enforcement.

During the raid at Glass House Farms in Camarillo, a crowd of concerned family members gathered outside to seek updates on their relatives. The atmosphere quickly intensified as protesters faced off against officials in military gear, leading to the deployment of what appeared to be smoke canisters. Reports indicated that at least twelve people suffered injuries during the chaos, amplifying fears among the local immigrant community about repeated immigration enforcement actions in the area.

Glass House Farms maintained that they have been compliant with hiring regulations and are currently assisting detained workers with legal resources. According to the California state’s Department of Cannabis Control, there were no minors observed on the farm in a previous inspection, although ongoing investigations into child labor allegations have been launched. The federal operation reflects an increasing trend of immigration arrests in Southern California, which has heighted anxiety among immigrant workers in various sectors.

In a troubling development, a worker identified as Jaime Alanis was reportedly severely injured during the raid, having fallen from a structure while attempting to evade authorities. Family members received alarming news about his condition, with doctors indicating that he is on life support and facing critical injuries. Many relatives of workers are left in uncertainty regarding their loved ones' fates, as reports suggest that some detainees’ rights were also possibly violated, including phone confiscation and forced deletion of evidence.

The situation attracted the attention of the United Farm Workers organization, which expressed concern over missing U.S. citizens connected to the raid. Family members have voiced anguish and regret over the circumstances, illustrating the human impact of such aggressive enforcement measures in the community.