What began as a routine workday at a cannabis farm in Southern California quickly turned into a nightmare for dozens of migrant workers.
In a matter of moments, a federal immigration raid turned into chaos—leaving one man clinging to life, a community in shock, and national attention on the violent outcome.
Worker Falls While Fleeing from ICE Agents
Jaime Alanís, a father from Mexico working in the U.S., is now in critical condition after falling 30 feet from a building while trying to flee Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
The dramatic incident unfolded during a raid at Glass House Farms in Camarillo, Ventura County, on Thursday.
Alanís, like many others at the scene, ran when ICE agents—backed by National Guard troops—suddenly arrived at the farm.
During his escape, he plummeted from a structure, suffering a broken neck and skull.
He was rushed to the hospital and placed on life support.
As of Friday, his condition remained dire.
A Family Devastated and Clinging to Hope
His family, still in shock, said Alanís had been working hard to send money home to support his wife and daughter in Mexico.
His niece, Yesenia Duran, launched a GoFundMe campaign, calling him “a hard-working, innocent farmer” and the main provider for his family.
“Doctors have told us he won’t make it. His injuries are catastrophic,” she wrote.
“His heart is still beating. God will make His decision.”
The fundraiser quickly gained traction, raising over $20,000 in its first few hours—and surpassing $37,000 by Friday evening.
Confusion Over Alanís’ Condition Amid Reports
There was some initial confusion over Alanís’ fate.
While the United Farm Workers union prematurely reported his death, hospital officials later clarified that he remained in critical condition.
If he doesn’t survive, the family plans to return his body to Mexico for burial.
ICE Raid Escalates into Chaos
The raid itself was part of a broader federal crackdown on undocumented labor in Southern California.
But what happened at Glass House Farms spiraled beyond control.
Witnesses described an aggressive federal operation that caught many by surprise.
Agents stormed the facility, shutting down roads and clashing with a crowd of more than 100 people—mostly farmworkers and their families.
Protesters initially tried to block the road, but tensions escalated when ICE began deploying smoke canisters and tear gas into the crowd.
Violence Erupts as Tensions Boil Over
Amid the chaos, one individual was seen pointing a firearm and apparently firing in the direction of ICE agents.
The FBI is now offering a $50,000 reward for help identifying and capturing that suspect.
The violence prompted protesters to scatter into nearby fields.
Some responded by throwing rocks at officers.
The Ventura County Fire Department arrived around 12:15 p.m. to treat individuals affected by smoke and tear gas.
Officials clarified that their involvement was strictly medical—they had no role in the enforcement itself.
Dozens Hospitalized and Hundreds Detained
The fallout was immediate and severe.
At least three people were hospitalized, and around 200 individuals were detained during the operation.
The scale of the raid left the community shaken and questioning the federal government’s approach to immigration enforcement.
Shocking Discovery of Child Workers at the Farm
Adding to the controversy, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott later announced that ten underage workers—undocumented juveniles—had been discovered on-site.
The cannabis farm is now under investigation for potential child labor violations.
A photo shared by the commissioner showed the young workers sitting on the ground in front of five federal agents, putting a face to the growing scrutiny surrounding the farm.
A Crime Scene at One of California’s Largest Cannabis Farms
Glass House Farms, known as one of the largest cannabis operations in California, was swiftly cordoned off with yellow tape labeled “U.S. Border Patrol.”
The once-busy farm became a crime scene in a matter of hours.
DailyMail.com has reached out to both the farm and Alanís’ family for further comments.
What Happens Now?
With a man fighting for his life, a family torn apart, and a community still reeling, the fallout from the raid is far from over.
Investigations are underway—not just into labor violations, but into the decisions that led to such a violent and chaotic encounter.