U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted a large-scale operation at a licensed cannabis farm near Camarillo, California, on July 10, resulting in one fatality and approximately 200 arrests. Witnesses reported chaotic scenes as tear gas and smoke grenades were deployed during clashes between agents, workers, and protesters.
California Governor Gavin Newsom strongly criticized the raid, calling it "a cruel escalation of federal overreach" in a public statement. He linked the incident to broader immigration enforcement policies under former U.S. President Donald Trump, stating such actions "tear at the fabric of our communities."
"This isn't about law enforcement – it's about fearmongering," Newsom said, urging federal authorities to reconsider their approach to immigration-related operations.
The incident has reignited debates about immigration policies, cannabis industry regulations, and law enforcement tactics in California. Local advocacy groups are demanding accountability for the worker's death and improved protections for undocumented laborers in the state's agricultural sector.
