Federal authorities clashed with protesters Thursday during a large-scale immigration enforcement operation at a state-licensed marijuana farm in Camarillo, California, amid escalating tensions between local officials and the Trump administration over federal immigration raids in Southern California.
According to federal officials, agents executed a warrant targeting illegal employees at Glass House Farms, a cannabis cultivation facility operating legally under California law but still considered illegal under federal statute. A parallel raid occurred at another Glass House location in Carpinteria.
To recap:
– Federal agents conduct massive op at Camarillo marijuana farm.
– Politicians push false narrative food workers & children are being raided.
– Feds disclose they have criminal judicial warrant for harboring aliens.
– Protester appears to shoot gun at agents.
-…— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) July 11, 2025
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the recovery of nine unaccompanied migrant children at the Camarillo site. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated, “So glad our law enforcement could rescue another child.” Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott added that the site is now under investigation for potential child labor violations. He shared an image on social media depicting several of the minors, one reportedly as young as 14.
It’s a weed farm, Jimmy. And they were serving a criminal warrant.
Why are you lying? https://t.co/YGqN0E7ysS
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) July 11, 2025
The situation escalated when protesters arrived on scene and clashed with law enforcement. Federal agents deployed tear gas and smoke to disperse the crowd, while military helicopters performed low-flying sweeps — a tactic used to identify and flush out individuals attempting to evade detention.
There’s no Marijuana in my produce aisle https://t.co/Dj05CoTq7k
— Tim Pool (@Timcast) July 11, 2025
Footage from the scene shows multiple individuals being detained. Four people were transported to local hospitals, and three others were treated at the scene for minor injuries, according to Ventura County Fire Department officials.
“A CBP helicopter.. they’re landing in the middle of the farm.. is does appear that they were not planning to be here as long they have… so this helicopter made a run.. for some cases of water” pic.twitter.com/XYemMl1yXN
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 10, 2025
Tensions rose further after U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of an unidentified suspect who allegedly fired a weapon at federal agents during the Camarillo operation.
Ventura County, Calif. — Mexican nationalists use Mexican flags attached to poles to attack a U.S. military vehicle. The rioters are trying to stop a raid of a drug farm operated by illegal foreign nationals. pic.twitter.com/ViH2ROI0xt
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) July 11, 2025
Local officials swiftly condemned the operation. Oxnard Mayor Luis McArthur accused ICE of acting with “insensitivity” and pledged to pursue legal options through the state Attorney General and Governor’s office. U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA), who visited the scene in Carpinteria, described the presence of roughly 50 armed federal agents as “deplorable” and “militarized.” “This was overkill. This was ridiculous. This was a bunch of crap,” he said in a recorded statement.
Ventura County, Calif. — Mexican nationalists and open border extremists have mobilized to attack federal agents to try to stop their raid on a drug farm suspected of being run by illegal foreign nationals. pic.twitter.com/sh699HbyPE
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) July 10, 2025
Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also denounced the raid, joining a broader chorus of California Democrats who argue that Trump-era immigration tactics are unconstitutional and damaging to communities. Newsom criticized the use of force, citing video of children running from tear gas. He wrote, “Trump calls me ‘Newscum’ — but he’s the real scum.”
A protester was seen apparently firing some kind of weapon at federal agents during the immigration raid at a farm near Camarillo on Thursday. It’s unknown if anyone was injured in the chaos. https://t.co/tZBT2XnVEH pic.twitter.com/p4YZ3qkHnM
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) July 10, 2025
Newsom further accused White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller of orchestrating the strategy, saying, “Stephen Miller’s tactics evoke chaos, fear and terror within our communities.” He alleged racial profiling and quota-driven detentions, claiming U.S. citizens were being unlawfully detained alongside undocumented immigrants.
FBI has issued a $50,000 award for information leading to the conviction of an Unknown Subject who appeared to fire a pistol at Federal Law Enforcement Officers near Camarillo. The shooting occurred on 7/10/25 at approximately 2:26pm on Laguna Rd between Wood Rd and Las Posas Rd.… pic.twitter.com/XG94sTQEVR
— U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) July 11, 2025
Los Angeles and eight other cities have filed suit against the Trump administration, arguing that recent raids are designed to intimidate rather than ensure public safety.
As investigations into child labor violations proceed, federal authorities are also expected to review operational protocols following the use of force during Thursday’s raid.
