Farmworker Dies Following ICE Raid Uncovering Underage Labor
- July 12, 2025
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Union officials have confirmed the death of a farmworker who was reportedly injured during an immigration enforcement raid at a California cannabis farm. The United Farm Workers announced the tragic news, stating that the worker succumbed to injuries sustained during the operation. The raid took place at Glass House Farms in Camarillo, where federal immigration agents were conducting enforcement actions.
The raid sparked significant protests, with demonstrators clashing with authorities. Video footage from the scene showed federal agents using tear gas to disperse the crowd. The protests highlighted the tension surrounding immigration enforcement actions in California, particularly those targeting agricultural workers.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner, Rodney Scott, revealed that 10 illegal immigrant minors were discovered at the Camarillo farm, with eight of them being unaccompanied. This discovery has led to an investigation into potential child labor violations at Glass House Farms. The farm is reportedly linked to a donor of California Governor Gavin Newsom, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
The United Farm Workers union has strongly condemned the raids, describing them as “chaotic” and alleging that several workers were critically injured. The union also expressed concern over other workers, including U.S. citizens, who remain unaccounted for following the raids. They criticized the federal actions as violent and disruptive to American communities and the food supply chain.
The raids are part of broader immigration enforcement efforts by the Trump administration in Southern California, focusing on criminal illegal immigrants. These actions have faced opposition from local and state officials who argue that such raids terrorize communities and separate families. The union’s statement emphasized that these federal actions must cease immediately to prevent further harm.