Camarillo Farm Raid: Protester Fires at Agents, Minors Found Working

On July 10, 2025, a large-scale immigration enforcement operation at Glass House Farms, a licensed cannabis greenhouse in Camarillo, California, escalated into a chaotic confrontation between federal agents, protesters, and local community members. The raid, conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with support from the National Guard and local law enforcement, targeted the facility for allegedly hiring and harboring undocumented workers. The operation led to the detention of numerous workers, violent clashes with protesters, and the discovery of ten undocumented juveniles, prompting an investigation into potential child labor violations.

Background of the Raid

Glass House Farms, located at 645 Laguna Road in Camarillo, is one of the largest licensed cannabis farms in California, boasting over 5 million square feet of growing space. The facility, which also cultivates tomatoes and cucumbers, was acquired from Houweling’s Tomatoes in 2021. The company bills itself as the largest legal cannabis grower in the world and holds multiple active licenses to cultivate cannabis in Ventura County. On Thursday, July 10, 2025, ICE agents arrived at the Camarillo facility, accompanied by National Guard troops in military-style vehicles and supported by local law enforcement, to execute a federal search warrant targeting undocumented workers.

A simultaneous raid took place at Glass House Farms’ second location in Carpinteria, approximately 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles in Santa Barbara County. The operation was part of a broader escalation of immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which has prioritized mass deportations and targeted industries reliant on undocumented labor, including agriculture.

Clashes with Protesters

The raid in Camarillo sparked immediate backlash from community members and advocacy groups, leading to a tense standoff between protesters and federal agents. By mid-morning, hundreds of demonstrators, some carrying Mexican flags, gathered along Laguna Road to protest the detentions. The 805 Immigrant Coalition, a volunteer organization that tracks immigration enforcement, reported that around 500 protesters were present at the height of the demonstration, with approximately 200 remaining by 6:30 p.m.

Tensions escalated as protesters blocked roads leading to the farm, prompting federal agents to deploy crowd control measures. Videos captured by local news outlets and shared on social media showed agents firing tear gas, smoke canisters, rubber bullets, and flash bangs into the crowd. One protester, described as an “unknown subject,” allegedly fired a pistol at federal agents around 2:26 p.m., according to U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli. The FBI is now offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the individual responsible for the shooting. No injuries were reported from the gunfire.

The Ventura County Fire Department was dispatched around 12:15 p.m. to provide medical aid, treating nine individuals, five of whom were transported to nearby hospitals. Injuries were primarily related to exposure to tear gas and rubber bullets. Protesters used milk to alleviate the effects of tear gas, leaving small puddles along the road.

Detentions and Alleged Child Labor Violations

During the raid, federal agents detained dozens of workers at the Camarillo facility. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott reported that ten undocumented juveniles were found working at the farm, eight of whom were unaccompanied. The discovery has triggered an investigation into potential child labor violations at Glass House Farms. It remains unclear how many workers were detained overall, with estimates ranging from dozens to approximately 100, according to local reports.

Community members expressed outrage over the detentions, emphasizing the essential role of farmworkers in the local economy. Cesar Ortiz, a 24-year-old protester, told the Los Angeles Times that his brother, a worker at the farm, was detained in a hot container without air conditioning. “They are taking everyone, and the truth is it’s not right because these people come to work, struggle every day, to earn for bread every day,” Ortiz said in Spanish.

Community and Official Responses

The raid drew sharp criticism from local and state officials. California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the operation, sharing a video on X of children fleeing tear gas and stating, “Trump calls me ‘Newscum’ – but he’s the real scum.” Newsom accused White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, a key architect of the administration’s immigration policies, of orchestrating tactics that “evoke chaos, fear, and terror within our communities.” Camarillo City Councilmember Dr. Martita Martinez-Bravo highlighted the broader impact on the agricultural workforce, noting that such enforcement actions exacerbate labor shortages and could lead to crops rotting in fields.

In Carpinteria, U.S. Congressman Salud Carbajal was denied entry to the raid site while attempting to conduct oversight, and Carpinteria City Councilmember Mónica Solórzano was injured, suffering a fall and arm injury after agents threw a smoke grenade into the crowd. Santa Barbara County Supervisor Laura Capps described the raids as “inhumane insanity” and called for compassion and inclusivity.

Glass House Farms issued a statement on X, confirming that it had “fully complied with agent search warrants” and would provide further updates if necessary. The company noted that its facilities had been previously visited by ICE in June, suggesting ongoing scrutiny of its labor practices.

Broader Context of Immigration Enforcement

The Camarillo and Carpinteria raids are part of a recent wave of immigration enforcement actions across Southern California, targeting farms, car washes, and Home Depot parking lots. The Trump administration has deployed National Guard troops to support ICE operations, including a high-profile raid in Los Angeles’ MacArthur Park earlier in the week that displaced a summer day camp. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticized these operations as politically motivated, aimed at “provoking fear and terror.”

Advocates argue that targeting farmworkers undermines California’s agricultural economy, which relies heavily on undocumented labor. According to UC Merced research, at least half of the state’s 255,700 farmworkers are undocumented. The United Farm Workers and other groups have called for protections for these workers, emphasizing their contributions to food production.

Legal and Community Actions

The raids have prompted legal and community responses. The ACLU, representing the United Farm Workers and Kern County residents, has filed lawsuits alleging that recent immigration raids violate constitutional rights by targeting individuals without reasonable suspicion or warrants. In Camarillo, the 805 Immigrant Coalition and 805 UndocuFund mobilized to support affected workers and their families, offering legal assistance and resources. The Carpinteria City Council scheduled a special meeting on July 10 to address the raids and consider further responses.

Religious leaders have also taken action. The Diocese of San Bernardino exempted Catholics from attending Sunday mass due to fears of immigration enforcement, reflecting heightened anxiety in immigrant communities.

Conclusion

The immigration raid at Glass House Farms in Camarillo on July 10, 2025, has highlighted deep tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in California’s agricultural heartland. The violent clashes between protesters and federal agents, the detention of workers, and the discovery of undocumented minors have sparked widespread outrage and calls for reform. As investigations into child labor violations and the shooting incident continue, the raid underscores the complex interplay of immigration policy, economic reliance on undocumented labor, and community resistance in the face of federal enforcement actions.

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