California: Over 300 arrested, one worker in critical condition after immigration raids on two marijuana farms

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) arrested hundreds of people without permanent legal status during controversial immigration raids on two marijuana farms in California, which left one person in critical condition. While initially reporting about 200 arrests, Secretary Kristi Noem raised the number to 319.

At first, the United Farm Workers reported that the worker, who was of Mexican origin, died from injuries sustained during the immigration enforcement operation carried out Thursday.

However, later the family stated on the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe that he is actually in critical condition, contradicting the United Farm Workers’ earlier report.

On Friday, the federal agency stated that more than 500 protesters gathered in the area and attempted to disrupt police operations. According to DHS, four U.S. citizens were arrested for assaulting or resisting officers.

The FBI is also searching for a man suspected of firing a gun at police before fleeing the scene.

Child labor on Cannabis farms

In a statement Friday, officials said that during two immigration operations at Camarillo and Carpinteria—farms owned by Glass House Brands Inc.—undocumented children were identified. Of them, eight were unaccompanied by adults or legal guardians and only one was older than 14.

Customs and Border Patrol Commissioner Rodney Scott said the company is now under investigation for child labor violations. In response, Glass House Brands stated that it never intentionally hired underage workers.

Kristi Noem said on Saturday that the DHS had "rescued 14 children from potential forced labor, exploitation, and trafficking." She also assured that during the operation the agents had "faced assaults, violence, and even bullets fired at them."

"This is quickly becoming one of the largest operations since President Trump took office," she celebrated.