Approximately 200 illegal aliens were arrested, and one person is dead, after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers faced gunfire from a rioter while conducting operations at two marijuana grow sites in California on Thursday.
The officers were conducting criminal warrant operations at marijuana farms operated by the Glass House Brands Inc. in Carpinteria and Camarillo when the chaos unfolded.
In a press release on Friday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said, “During the operation, at least 10 migrant children were rescued from potential exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking. Federal officers also arrested approximately 200 illegal aliens from both sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo.”
“During the operation, more than 500 rioters attempted to disrupt operations,” the press release continued. “Four U.S. citizens are being criminally processed for assaulting or resisting officers. The rioters damaged vehicles and one violent agitator fired a gun at law enforcement officers.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is offering a $50,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the shooter.
United Farm Workers posted a statement on social media on Friday confirming the death of a farm worker who was attempting to flee from officers.
“We tragically can confirm that a farm worker has died of injuries they sustained as a result of yesterday’s immigration enforcement action,” the organization wrote in a post on X.
UPDATE: we tragically can confirm that a farm worker has died of injuries they sustained as a result of yesterday’s immigration enforcement action. https://t.co/Pq3rMmzZJR
— United Farm Workers (@UFWupdates) July 11, 2025
The Department of Homeland Security responded to the news of the worker’s death in a post on X.
This man was not in and has not been in CBP or ICE custody. Although he was not being pursued by law enforcement, this individual climbed up to the roof of a green house and fell 30 feet. CBP immediately called a medivac to the scene to get him care as quickly as possible.
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) July 12, 2025
“This man was not in and has not been in CBP or ICE custody,” the agency wrote. “Although he was not being pursued by law enforcement, this individual climbed up to the roof of a green house and fell 30 feet. CBP immediately called a medivac to the scene to get him care as quickly as possible.”
Glass House Brands Inc. is now under investigation for violating child labor laws.
Why are there kids working at a CA marijuana farm? https://t.co/B6XEh0yUta pic.twitter.com/sECLOHixkO
— NOVA Campaigns (@NoVA_Campaigns) July 11, 2025
These are the juveniles found in the marijuana facility – almost all unaccompanied, one as young as 14.
California are you ready to partner with us to stop child exploitation? https://t.co/s6VATstZ4G pic.twitter.com/M96nR0gqoU
— CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott (@CBPCommissioner) July 11, 2025
The company has claimed that they did not intentionally hire child workers.
“Glass House has never knowingly violated applicable hiring practices and does not and has never employed minors,” the company said in a post on X. “We do not expect this to affect operations moving forward. We will provide additional details when applicable.”
Yesterday, Glass House Brands received immigration and naturalization warrants. As per the law, we verified that the warrants were valid and we complied.
Workers were detained and we are assisting to provide them legal representation.
Glass House has never knowingly violated…
— Glass House Brands Inc. (@GlassHouseBR) July 11, 2025
“At the California marijuana facilities, ICE and CBP law enforcement rescued at least 10 migrant children from what looks like exploitation, forced child labor, and potentially human trafficking or smuggling. Our law enforcement also arrested nearly 200 illegal aliens,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement.
McLaughlin continued, “During the operation, a violent agitator fired a gun at our brave officers. While ICE and CBP officers are being assaulted by rioters and dodging bullets to save children, Sanctuary politicians are demonizing ICE and CBP. We will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law anyone who assaults or doxes federal law enforcement.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has defended the marijuana farms and the illegal aliens working at them.
Kids running from tear gas, crying on the phone because their mother was just taken from the fields.
Trump calls me “Newscum” — but he’s the real scum. pic.twitter.com/fj0l25mRBN
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 11, 2025
“Kids running from tear gas, crying on the phone because their mother was just taken from the fields,” Newsom wrote on X Thursday. “Trump calls me ‘Newscum’ — but he’s the real scum.”
