Fields to Frontlines: California Farms Hit by Federal Immigration Raids

Militarized ICE operations at cannabis and vegetable farms spark clashes, injuries, and renewed protest across Southern California

Hey Small Biters,

Federal agents from ICE and Border Patrol, backed by Customs and Border Protection units and a hovering helicopter, descended on Glass House Farms near Camarillo for a surprise immigration raid. The licensed cannabis grower, which also houses tomato and cucumber fields, reportedly cooperated fully with search warrants. But the operation quickly escalated beyond routine enforcement.

Protesters—farmworkers, family members, and local activists—formed human barricades to block access gates. They were met with white and green smoke canisters and possible tear gas, sparking fierce clashes on the narrow countryside road. Several demonstrators experienced breathing irritation, one said she needed milk to relieve her eyes.

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Tensions spiked when Judith Ramos, a young nurse’s assistant, reported losing contact with her father, a farm laborer. She said she saw busloads of detained workers being led away, their hands bound. Federal officials have not clarified how many were arrested or for what specific enforcement grounds.

The similar raid at Carpinteria cannabis fields added to the drama as U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal was prevented from entering the site by ICE agents. Local officials, including City Council members Julia Mayer and Mónica Solórzano—who reported being pushed and injured—attended in solidarity but were rebuffed.

In Carpinteria, local activists from groups like 805 Immigrant Coalition and VC Defensa documented the raid, pointing to community trauma as the farms have long employed mostly immigrant families. The city convened an emergency meeting, and Carbajal publicly denounced the raids as excessive and harmful to public trust.

Ventura County emergency teams treated three people for injuries sustained during clashes. It remains unclear whether they were farmworkers or purely protesters. Simultaneously, tear gas, rubber bullets, and smoke affected both fields and parking zones, sparking fears for non-combatant bystanders.

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These operations form part of a broader Trump-era escalation in Southern California. Agents have previously raided car washes, cleaning businesses, parking lots, and churches—sometimes deploying National Guard support at the orders of the White House.

The deployment of National Guard units has become commonplace, with militarized gear and mounted cavalry used even in civilian zones like MacArthur Park. Critics called it a theatrically intimidating tactic targeting immigrant communities.

Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles denounced the operations as “reality‑TV spectacle,” cautioning that young children were frightened by armored vehicles and horses. No arrests were made in that single operation—but fear lingered.

Earlier in June, protests had erupted in Los Angeles after raids in the fashion district and Home Depot parking lots. Protesters threw bricks and furniture while law enforcement responded with flash-bangs and tear gas—a chaos leading to curfews and National Guard activation.

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Local businesses and farms in Ventura County have already reported dropping labor availability. Growers say crops are rotting in fields as immigrant workers choose to stay home for fear of detention. The California Farm Bureau called it a crisis threatening food supply.

Oxnard’s mayor, Luis MacArthur, criticized the raids as “dismantling families and sowing social trauma.” Former ICE Director Sarah Saldana warned of misidentification risks and called for more cautious oversight.

These raids reflect a revved‑up national campaign under Trump to boost ICE’s budget, set daily arrest quotas, and visibly root out undocumented individuals—even in “sanctuary” jurisdictions.

Activists warn that the raids at workplaces and farms are especially damaging—they occur without warning, during harvest or in public spaces, cutting families off from incomes and sowing fear without justification.

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State and city officials—led by Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Bass—are coordinating lawsuits to challenge National Guard deployment and the legality of military support in civil enforcement.

For immigrant families in the Central Coast, the raids have shattered stability. Bakers, farmhands, and caregivers live in constant dread—choosing to skip work, faith gatherings, or even the grocery store to avoid being next.

As July unfolds, these operations are expected to broaden. The administration plans to expand enforcement goals into Chicago and New York, prompting comparisons of mass deportation sweeps across multiple metropolitan areas.

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✍️

“They came for the harvest, and left behind a field of fear.”

Rows of tomatoes tremble
under the weight of uniforms.
Hands meant to sow and pick
are forced to tremble in shame.

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🧭 A Small Bite to Carry

• Federal raids and military-style presence at farms and parks sow fear across immigrant communities, disrupting daily life and harvests.

• Visibly armed National Guard support raises questions about militarized domestic policy and local democratic oversight.

• The economic and human cost are real: unpicked crops, shuttered businesses, and families pulled from workplaces and from each other echo far beyond the detention sites.

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US Stocks

S&P 500 closes at record in widespread rally

The S&P 500 rose 0.3% on Thursday, setting new intraday and closing records in the process. The Nasdaq 100 dipped 0.2% while the Russell 2000 continued its strong start to the quarter with a 0.5% advance. Bitcoin rose above $113,000, another all-time high.

Delta’s solid earnings and good-enough outlook were a major positive for not just the stock, but the entire industry.

AMD spiked after HSBC analysts doubled their price target on the chip company, saying they underestimated the performance and pricing power of its new line of processors.

Tesla jumped after CEO Elon Musk said its robotaxi operations in Austin would expand their coverage this weekend and the service would be available in the Bay Area in a month or two.

I’m from the government and I’m here to help: MP Materials went up 50% after the Pentagon announced it was taking a large stake in the rare earths company amid on-again, off-again access to these materials from China.

WK Kellogg soared 30% after announcing it’s being acquired by Ferrero.

Circle caught a bid after a report from Bloomberg that the Jack Ma-backed Ant Group would use its stablecoin on the platform.

What Else Are We Biting

• Bitcoin hits another milestone, passing $113,000 for new high.

• Grok is coming to Tesla vehicles ‘next week’.

• AWS is launching an AI agent marketplace next week with Anthropic as a partner.

Biting Fact Of The Day

Boeing delivered 280 planes in the first half of 2025, but Airbus delivered even more.