At least 361 suspected illegal immigrants were arrested, and 14 children were taken into custody, during an immigration raid in Ventura County, California, last week, where leftist protesters attacked federal agents.
Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant secretary for public affairs for the Department of Homeland Security, told Fox News on Sunday that many of those arrested at the marijuana farm in Camarillo had “heinous rap sheets, including kidnapping, child molestation, rape, serial burglary, hit and runs.”
“These are people that should not be in our communities illegally, much less around innocent children,” McLaughlin said.
She added that Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents “rescued at least 14 migrant children from what looks like exploitation, forced child labor, and potentially human trafficking or smuggling while facing assault and even gunfire.” Of the 14 children, 10 were not accompanied by an adult.
“This is rapidly becoming one of the largest operations since President Trump took office,” McLaughlin added.
UPDATE on the California marijuana facilities operation: Our brave agents arrested at least *361* illegal aliens—including criminals with convictions for rape, kidnapping, child molestation, serial burglary, hit and run, and DUI.
At that same site, @ICEgov and @CBP law… pic.twitter.com/akXt6RFOJU
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) July 14, 2025
On Friday, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott posted a photo of agents posing with the minors who were found at the marijuana farm.
“These are the juveniles found in the marijuana facility – almost all unaccompanied, one as young as 14,” Scott wrote. “California are you ready to partner with us to stop child exploitation?”
These are the juveniles found in the marijuana facility – almost all unaccompanied, one as young as 14.
California are you ready to partner with us to stop child exploitation? https://t.co/s6VATstZ4G pic.twitter.com/M96nR0gqoU
— CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott (@CBPCommissioner) July 11, 2025
Newsom hit back at CBP Commissioner Scott, writing, “We prosecute criminals that break child labor laws.”
“You make the kids pose for photos, tear gas them, and promote laws like this,” he added, pointing to Republican-led states relaxing child labor laws.
As the federal agents conducted the immigration raid with a search warrant, they were met by leftist protesters, some of whom threw rocks at their vehicles, and one man appeared to fire a handgun at the agents. The FBI is still looking for the gunman, offering a $50,000 award for information leading to his conviction.
FBI has issued a $50,000 award for information leading to the conviction of an Unknown Subject who appeared to fire a pistol at Federal Law Enforcement Officers near Camarillo. The shooting occurred on 7/10/25 at approximately 2:26pm on Laguna Rd between Wood Rd and Las Posas Rd.… pic.twitter.com/XG94sTQEVR
— U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) July 11, 2025
California Democrats, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, condemned the pot farm raid, claiming that agents snatched children away from their parents and tear-gassed them. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA), who represents part of Ventura County, called the operation “disproportionate” and “overkill.” Cargajal also warned that the federal government’s “tactics” would lead to more violence.
Kids running from tear gas, crying on the phone because their mother was just taken from the fields.
Trump calls me “Newscum” — but he’s the real scum. pic.twitter.com/fj0l25mRBN
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 11, 2025
The Trump administration has blasted Democrats over their rhetoric on immigration enforcement and ICE agents. As some Democrats compare federal agents to Nazis, assailants have carried out attacks on ICE and CBP facilities in recent weeks.
In response to Thursday’s attack on agents at the cannabis farm, President Donald Trump said on Friday that he is giving “Total Authorization for ICE to protect itself, just like they protect the public.”
“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,” Trump said. “Therefore, I am directing Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, and Border Czar, Tom Homan, to instruct all ICE, Homeland Security, or any other Law Enforcement Officer who is on the receiving end of thrown rocks, bricks, or any other form of assault, to stop their car, and arrest these SLIMEBALLS, using whatever means is necessary to do so.”