Los Angeles — A migrant farmworker has died and 200 undocumented individuals have been detained following a dramatic ICE-led raid on two cannabis farms in Ventura County, California, prompting widespread protest, legal pushback, and a harsh rebuke from former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The deceased worker, whose name has not been released, fell 30 feet from the roof of a greenhouse during the raid and succumbed to injuries on Friday, according to the United Farm Workers union. A DHS spokesperson clarified that the man was never in custody and was not being pursued at the time.
“This individual climbed up to the roof of a greenhouse and fell,” said DHS’s Tricia McLaughlin, adding that emergency medics were called immediately.
“Slimeballs”: Trump Authorizes Arrests Amid Clashes
In a Truth Social post, Donald Trump condemned protesters, calling them “slimeballs” and authorizing ICE agents to arrest them “using whatever means is necessary.” He accused demonstrators of throwing rocks and bricks at officers and causing “tremendous damage” to ICE vehicles.
“I am giving Total Authorization for ICE to protect itself,” Trump said.
“If necessary, stop your car and arrest these thugs.”
The raid, conducted Thursday, resulted in the arrest of 200 undocumented workers and the rescue of 10 minors, whom DHS said were at risk of exploitation or forced labor.
Violence and Protest in Ventura County
According to DHS, more than 500 protestors tried to block the raids in Carpinteria and Camarillo, leading to violent clashes. Tear gas was deployed, projectiles were thrown, and at least four U.S. citizens face charges for assaulting or resisting federal officers. A $50,000 reward has been announced for information leading to the arrest of a suspect who allegedly fired a gun at agents.
Glass House Brands, Legal Cannabis, and Hiring Claims
The raids targeted Glass House Farms, one of California’s largest legal cannabis growers. In a statement, the company said it has “never knowingly violated hiring laws” and “does not employ minors.”
“We take our compliance obligations seriously,” the company said in response to the ICE operation.
Court Blocks ‘Roving Patrols’; Judge Slams Racial Profiling
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong issued an order halting ICE’s ‘roving patrols’ in Los Angeles, citing racial profiling and lack of due process.
The court found that agents were detaining individuals based on language, ethnicity, or location, without proper cause.
Community Reacts: “The Dream Is Dying”
Outside the farm, migrant families gathered in confusion.
“We’ve been here since six this morning asking questions,” said Saul Munoz, a Colombian father whose son was detained.
“Just bring him back to me. If it’s time for us to leave, we’ll leave. The truth is, the American dream is no longer really the American dream.”
Backdrop: Federal Crackdown vs California Defiance
Trump’s escalation follows weeks of tension with California officials, who have resisted federal immigration enforcement. Despite Governor Gavin Newsom calling the National Guard deployment “unnecessary”, legal efforts to remove troops have so far failed.
Conclusion: Tragedy, Tension, and the Bigger Picture
As California reels from this deadly immigration raid, the federal-state clash intensifies over rights, labor, and enforcement ethics. The death of a worker, the court’s intervention, and Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric have turned a targeted ICE operation into a national flashpoint on immigration policy and labor rights.