Immigration Raid In Ventura County Farm Leaves Farmworker Dead

A farmworker has died from injuries sustained during an immigration raid near Camarillo, California, according to the United Farm Workers (UFW) union. The incident occurred during an enforcement operation at a local agricultural site, which the union says left multiple workers injured and some still unaccounted for. "Other workers, including US citizens, remain unaccounted for," the UFW stated in a public post.

One of the injured was Jaime Garcia, a farmworker whose family says he fell 30 feet from a building while possibly attempting to flee from federal agents. He was hospitalized with a broken neck and skull and later succumbed to his injuries. Garcia had been working in the area to support his wife and daughter in Mexico, according to relatives. "He was just trying to make a living and send money home," a family member told reporters.

A woman identifying as a relative of Garcia contacted Eyewitness News, sharing the tragic circumstances that led to his fall. The family has since launched a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for medical and funeral costs.

The UFW confirmed that while some workers were critically injured, others are expected to recover. "The other injured workers are not believed to have life-threatening injuries," the union said.

Amid the chaos of the raid, reports emerged of a man allegedly firing a weapon toward federal agents during a clash with protesters. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for any information related to the shooting.

This fatal incident has sparked concern and renewed attention on immigration enforcement actions targeting farmworkers. Advocates argue that these raids not only endanger vulnerable laborers but also disrupt communities and livelihoods. The UFW has been vocal in demanding accountability and transparency around what transpired during the operation. The identity of the federal agency involved has not yet been officially disclosed. As the investigation continues, calls are growing for an independent inquiry into both the enforcement tactics used and the circumstances leading to Garcia's death.

Link: ABC7