Death of a Worker Following a U.S. Immigration Raid on a California Farm

SadaNews - A farm worker died on Friday - Saturday, succumbing to injuries sustained during a raid by U.S. immigration officials on a legal cannabis farm in California, which resulted in the arrest of 200 undocumented immigrants and clashes with demonstrators.

President Donald Trump condemned the attacks by demonstrators from immigrant rights activists on ICE agents, vowing to capture "these thugs." Trump's comment on X came a day after the raid on the farm in Ventura County, approximately 90 kilometers from Los Angeles, where one worker was seriously injured.

The United Farm Workers union stated on X on Friday that the worker "died from injuries sustained as a result of the agency's actions yesterday." The union did not identify the worker, who was said to have fallen from a height of 10 meters during Thursday's raid.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that 200 undocumented immigrants were arrested during raids at marijuana cultivation sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo on Thursday, along with the rescue of 10 children "from potential exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking."

The company "Glass House Brands," which owns the farms, stated in a press release that it "did not knowingly violate applicable hiring practices and has never employed minors." The company confirmed that it would secure attorneys for the detained workers. The Department of Homeland Security also stated that over 500 "rioters" attempted to disrupt the raid. Four U.S. citizens are facing charges for assaulting or resisting security personnel.

Tear gas was used to disperse the demonstrators, some of whom were seen on video footage throwing projectiles at ICE vehicles.

Trump stated in his post that he watched footage of "thugs" pelting "ICE" vehicles with stones, causing "massive damage." He added, "I give ICE full authorization to protect themselves, just as they protect the public." Last month, the Republican president dispatched thousands of National Guard troops to Los Angeles to suppress protests against raid campaigns targeting undocumented immigrants.

The cannabis farm in Camarillo was quiet on Friday, with workers queuing to collect their paychecks. Saul Munoz, a 43-year-old Colombian whose son was detained on Thursday, said, "We have been here since six in the morning asking questions, but they are not giving us any information." Munoz added, "The truth is that the American dream is no longer a true American dream."