Immigration Raid Rocks California Cannabis Grow Sites
Federal immigration raids took place last week at two state-licensed cannabis cultivation sites in Southern California. Glass House, the company operating the sites, has been accused of breaking labor laws, such as exploiting migrant children.
Federal agents busted into two grow sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo, run by publicly traded Glass House Brands, prompting outrage and clash with officers.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were present at the scene July 10, detaining at least ten cannabis cultivation workers, according to reports. California Gov. Gavin Newson criticized President Donald Trump for his ham-fisted deployment of ICE agents in California.
Several more people were detained during the operation. “Agents have already arrested multiple individuals for impeding this operation and will continue to make arrests. Don’t interfere. You will be arrested and charged with a federal offense,” the U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, Bill Essayli, warned on X.
The situation on the ground escalated quickly. Videos showed protestors throwing rocks at vehicles and agents firing tear gas around the marijuana farm. One protestor is said to have fired a gun toward federal officers and the FBI is now actively searching for the shooter.
Glass House is Being Investigated for Child Labor Violations
The raid on the farms reportedly unveiled the presence of 10 minors who appeared to be undocumented, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott posted on X. Glass House is “now under investigation for child labor violations,” he wrote.
However, company representatives have denied such accusations. “Glass House has never knowingly violated applicable hiring practices and does not and has never employed minors,” according to another post on X, one by the Glass House management. “We do not expect this to affect operations moving forward.”
Sources further tell that the company is currently battling a class action lawsuit that alleges Glass House of multiple labor law violations. Reportedly, some of the accusations that the company is due to face in court include failure to pay wages, failure to provide breaks and meal periods, imposing unlawful quotas and not paying business-related expenses, among others.
California Leaders Condemn Action of ‘Terror’
The immigration raid on Glass House property was the latest in a series of high-profile actions led by ICE agents in the greater Los Angeles area recently. Governor Newson has not been happy about it, and subsequently criticized President Trump. “Kids running from tear gas, crying on the phone because their mother was just taken from the field,” he wrote. “Trump calls me ‘Newscum’ – but he’s the real scum.”
Democratic U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal, who was denied entry to the scene of the raid in Carpinteria, Santa Barbara County, also voiced his opposition to the action, calling it “completely unacceptable.” “These militarized ICE raids are not how you keep our communities safe,” he said.
Santa Barbara County Supervisor Laura Capps said the actions carried out by the federal agents were about “terror and power.”
“Today we’re reeling from the inhumane insanity of military immigration enforcement in our own backyard,” Supervisor Capps said, Santa Barbara Independent reported. “We stand for compassion, inclusivity and a profound respect for immigrants. Thank you to all who were fighting against this terror, including Congressmember Carbajal and so many others for being on the scene today. We must persist.”
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Stephen Andrews
