Federal Immigration Raid at Ventura County Cannabis Farms: Dozens Detained, Protests Erupt

Federal Immigration Raid in Ventura County

• 🎯 Federal agents, with assistance from the National Guard, conducted a large-scale immigration raid at two cannabis farms in Ventura County.
• ⚡ The operation, described as one of the largest by immigration officials in Southern California, began around 8:30 AM.
• 📍 Raids occurred at Glass House Farms facilities in both Camarillo and Carpinteria.

Detentions and Worker Impact

• 👥 Dozens of workers were detained and taken away in vans, with reports of undocumented minors being among those arrested.
• 📱 Some workers reported that their phones were confiscated by agents.
• 🏠 Many workers, including U.S. citizens, expressed concern for loved ones who are not documented and may not be able to return home.
• ⚠️ Some workers hid inside the facility throughout the day to avoid detention.

Protests and Clashes

• ✊ Several hundred protestors gathered at the facilities to support the farm workers and protest the raids.
• 🚧 Agents lined the roads to keep protestors back, leading to tense standoffs.
• 💥 At times, the confrontation escalated with agents deploying smoke canisters and protestors throwing rocks and bottles.

Legal Basis and Unclear Outcomes

• 📜 DHS stated that law enforcement was executing criminal warrants at a marijuana facility, emphasizing their commitment to enforcing the law.
• ❓ The exact number of people detained remains unclear.
• 🚗 By around 7 PM, some workers were cleared and allowed to leave the property, while others, including one who claimed to be a U.S. citizen detained despite showing his license, faced delays in retrieving their vehicles.
• 😥 Family members expressed anger, confusion, and worry about the whereabouts of their loved ones.