Over 300 Workers Abducted and One Killed in ICE Raids on CA Farms

Read our editorial on mass deportations here, and the ongoing struggle against it here.

On Thursday (07/10), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the National Guard carried out raids on two farm sites in Ventura County, both owned by the cannabis manufacturer Greenhouse Farms. In these raids, 319 migrants were abducted by federal authorities while other workers were held on site for over 8 hours, where workers claim they were forced to delete photos and videos of the raid before they could leave.

During the raid at the Camarillo site, armed ICE agents chased farm worker Jaime Alanís Garcia, who fell 30 feet off a greenhouse and later died in the hospital of his injuries. Alanís’ niece posted on a GoFundMe, “My uncle Jaime was just a hard-working, innocent farmer. He has his wife and daughter waiting for him. He was chased by ICE agents, and we were told he fell 30ft…He was his family’s only provider.” According to his family, he had called them shortly before his death to tell them he was hiding from ICE.

During the raid in Camarillo, hundreds of protesters—including relatives of the workers—confronted federal agents, ICE, and the National Guard, who had surrounded the site with military vehicles and blocked the road to the farm.

Around noon, federal agents attempted to disperse the people and began to tear gas protesters, shooting flash bangs at them. The people responded by throwing rocks. One video appears to show a man among the protesters defending the people by opening fire at the agents of repression. The FBI has now launched an investigation, issuing a bribe of $50,000 to any snitch willing to turn on the people with information. Four others were arrested accused of “assaulting or resisting” officers.

On Friday, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, “I am giving Total Authorization for Ice to protect itself, just like they protect the Public,” emphasizing the immunity law enforcement is granted to brutalize and murder the people.

As ICE vehicles were leaving the facility, protesters reportedly smashed their windows and mirrors with rocks. A reactionary in support of the raids was seen being confronted and forced out of the area by the people.

Protesters remained in the area through the night, with some videos on social media showing activists entering the farm to help hiding migrant workers escape.

Photo: Protesters confront a cordon of state forces during a Ventura County ICE raid.

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