Immigration Raids Spark Chaos and Protests at California Cannabis Farm
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents executed a significant operation on a sprawling cannabis farm located in Ventura County, California, on Thursday, July 10, 2025. The event began when a convoy of military-style vehicles arrived at Glass House Farms, a facility that claims to be the world’s largest legal cannabis grower. The raid, which was conducted under a search warrant, aimed to address immigration violations and enforce existing federal laws. However, the operation quickly devolved into chaos as protesters attempted to block the agents’ access to the site.
The situation escalated when demonstrators, including those carrying Mexican flags, tried to physically obstruct the ICE convoy. In response, federal agents deployed tear gas as a means of dispersing the crowd. Several protesters threw rocks at the vehicles, and at least one individual was captured on camera firing a weapon at the officers. Despite the intense confrontation, there were no reported injuries on either side. According to a statement from a local ABC affiliate, at least ten people were detained during the raid, including ten children who were allegedly found at the site. These minors, described as illegal migrants, are now under investigation for potential child labor violations, as stated by US Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that the operation was carried out in accordance with existing search warrants and emphasized that agents continue to enforce the law. Glass House Farms, which has previously stated its compliance with legal requirements, released a statement on X affirming that they had fully cooperated with the agents. However, the incident has sparked widespread criticism, particularly from California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office, which called the raid inhumane and highlighted the role of former Trump advisor Stephen Miller in shaping the policy. ‘Instead of supporting the businesses and workers that drive our economy and way of life, Stephen Miller’s tactics evoke chaos, fear, and terror within our communities at every turn,’ Newsom’s statement read.
The raid reflects the deepening political divide over immigration policies in the United States. President Donald Trump, who has long championed a hardline approach to immigration, has made the issue a cornerstone of his political strategy. He has previously accused his predecessor, President Joe Biden, and the Democratic Party of exploiting the situation to benefit from the surge of migrants entering the country through the border with Mexico. This incident further fuels the ongoing debate over how the US should handle immigration, with Democrats condemning the raid as both dangerous and illegal, while Trump’s supporters argue that strict enforcement is necessary to protect national interests.
As the situation continues to unfold, the incident raises questions about the balance between enforcing immigration laws and maintaining public order, as well as the broader implications for the cannabis industry in California. With increasing scrutiny over the operational practices of legal cannabis farms, such an event might also signal growing tensions between regulatory bodies, corporate entities, and activist groups. The long-term effects of the raid, particularly regarding the enforcement of immigration policies and the legal status of cannabis businesses, remain uncertain and are likely to be the subject of ongoing dialogue and debate in both political and legal circles.