Federal officials have confirmed that more than 300 illegal immigrants were arrested on Thursday during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid at a cannabis farm in Ventura County, California.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed on X that 319 unlawful immigrants were apprehended during the raid at Glass House Farms, and said that “law enforcement rescued 14 children from potential forced labor, exploitation, and trafficking.”
The raid is thought to be the second-largest ICE worksite operation in a single state ever, after the raids on chicken plants in Mississippi during the first Trump administration in 2019, which led to nearly 700 arrests of illegal immigrants.
One man who was arrested has a record of violent crimes, including attempted child exploitation. He is one of the many being protected by Democrats and the radical militant “protesters” opposing ICE operations.
CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott posted a photo of the unnamed migrant on X.
“This illegal alien was apprehended at the CA marijuana facility,” he said. “Turns out he had been sentenced to 7 yrs for kidnapping & attempted rape, w/ a prior conviction for attempted child molestation. And this felon was working at the same farm as 10 kids – one being 14 yrs old.”
Fox News has learned that the children rescued at the farm are from Mexico and Honduras, and that immigration officials are checking the criminal records of all 319 detained illegal immigrants.
Glass House Farms is being investigated for possible violations of child labor laws.
The company’s co-founder, president, and board director, Graham Farrar, gave $10,000 to California Governor Gavin Newsom in 2018, as well as to other Democratic politicians. He has also donated to Republicans and supported those who favored loosening cannabis laws.
A violent fight broke out between ICE agents and protesters during the large raid. Federal agents were attacked during the operation, and one person seemed to shoot a handgun toward the agents as the crowd was broken up with tear gas.
One worker died during the raid after climbing a 30-foot greenhouse and then falling from it.
An angry Trump posted on his Truth Social platform to criticize the protesters and give ICE permission to take any steps needed to protect themselves in future raids.
“I am on my way back from Texas, and watched in disbelief as THUGS were violently throwing rocks and bricks at ICE Officers while they were moving down a roadway in their car and/or official vehicle,” he said. “Tremendous damage was done to these brand new vehicles. I know for a fact that these Officers are having a hard time with allowing this to happen in that it shows such total disrespect for LAW AND ORDER.
“I am giving Total Authorization for ICE to protect itself, just like they protect the Public,” he wrote. “I never want to see a car carrying a Law Enforcement Officer attacked again! AUTHORIZATION IMMEDIATELY GRANTED FOR ARREST AND INCARCERATION. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
