In a major enforcement action, federal immigration officers—assisted by the National Guard—raided two cannabis farms in Southern California this week. The operation led to dozens of arrests, including several undocumented minors, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Raids Carried Out in Camarillo and Carpinteria
The raids took place around 8:30 a.m. on two separate farms. One was located in Camarillo, and the other about 35 miles north in Carpinteria. The operations were coordinated to happen at the same time.
Shortly after the raids began, hundreds of protesters appeared. Tensions rose as clashes broke out between demonstrators and officers, KTLA reported.
In Camarillo, aerial video showed federal agents moving through the fields. Workers were detained on-site as more people gathered to protest.
Undocumented Minors Found Working on Cannabis Farm
Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott stated that 10 undocumented minors were found at the Camarillo site. Eight of them were unaccompanied children. The farm—run by Glass House—is now under investigation for possible child labor law violations.
Scott also criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom in a post on X, saying, “This is Newsom’s California.” Newsom is widely speculated to be considering a run for president in 2028.
DHS and Governor Newsom Exchange Words on Social Media
Following the raids, Governor Newsom condemned the immigration enforcement action. He called it politically motivated and harsh.
The DHS responded directly, questioning why children were found working at a marijuana grow facility. “Why are there children working at a marijuana facility, Gavin?” the department’s official X account posted.
DHS: Children Possibly Victims of Exploitation
In a follow-up statement, DHS claimed that under the Biden administration, nearly 300,000 unaccompanied minors have gone missing. Many are feared to have been trafficked or exploited.
Officials said that eight children were rescued from the Ventura County cannabis farm. They may have been victims of labor abuse, human trafficking, or smuggling.
Final Thoughts
“Unaccompanied minors should never be working in cannabis farms,” DHS said in a post that included a historic image of a town hall speaker.
The investigation remains active as authorities look into child labor violations and broader issues involving immigration, exploitation, and the legal cannabis industry.
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