The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has fired back at California Governor Gavin Newsom following his criticism of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids at marijuana farms across the state — operations that DHS says uncovered shocking labor violations, including the exploitation of migrant children.
The agency confirmed that during a recent ICE-led raid at a cannabis cultivation facility in Ventura County, federal agents rescued eight unaccompanied migrant children, who were reportedly working in unsafe conditions that may have involved child labor law violations, human trafficking, and smuggling.
“The Biden administration lost ~300,000 unaccompanied children — many of these innocent children were trafficked and exploited,” DHS wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “At the Ventura, California marijuana facility, ICE and CBP law enforcement rescued 8 unaccompanied migrant children from what looks like exploitation, violation of child labor laws, and potentially human trafficking or smuggling.”
The statement was posted in response to Gov. Newsom, who had publicly condemned the raids and accused federal agents of using “excessive force” and “targeting vulnerable communities without accountability.”
DHS to Newsom: ‘Why Are There Children Working There?’
DHS’s social media account didn’t hold back in its response to the governor’s remarks, asking bluntly:
“Why are there children working at a marijuana facility, Gavin?”
The agency defended the enforcement operation, emphasizing that protecting migrant children from exploitation is a federal responsibility — one that, in this case, required intervention due to alleged abuse and unsafe working conditions.
Video footage of the raid, which has since gone viral online, shows ICE agents detaining multiple individuals and escorting children from the facility. While some activists decried the approach as “militarized,” others expressed alarm that children had been found working in such facilities at all.
Trump Weighs In: ‘Total Authorization’ Given to ICE
Former President Donald Trump also weighed in, voicing strong support for federal immigration agents. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump criticized what he called “violent thugs” who clashed with ICE during the operation, allegedly throwing rocks and bricks at agents.
“I am on my way back from Texas and watched in disbelief as THUGS were violently throwing rocks and bricks at ICE Officers while they were moving down a roadway in their car and/or official vehicle,” Trump wrote. “Tremendous bravery shown.”
Trump further stated that he had given ICE agents “total authorization to protect themselves” in the wake of recent violence and escalating tensions over immigration enforcement.
Newsom, Advocates Decry ICE Tactics
Governor Newsom has remained firm in his criticism of the raids, accusing the Biden administration of failing to coordinate with local authorities and endangering communities through heavy-handed enforcement tactics.
“California will not stand by while federal agents storm our communities under the guise of enforcement,” Newsom said in a press statement. “This isn’t about justice. It’s about fear, optics, and politics.”
Immigrant advocacy groups have also raised concerns, claiming that ICE operations often lack transparency and accountability — especially when they involve vulnerable populations like unaccompanied minors.
Allegations of Labor Abuse at Cannabis Farms
Meanwhile, labor watchdogs say the use of undocumented and underage workers in California’s cannabis industry is a growing concern, particularly in regions where illegal grow operations are rampant.
Authorities believe some marijuana farms — even those appearing to operate legally — may employ undocumented laborers, including minors, due to lax oversight and the demand for cheap labor in the industry.
One DHS source, speaking on background, said investigators suspect that some farms are tied to larger trafficking networks that exploit migrant children who have gone missing from federal custody.
“We’re talking about criminal networks that know how to move people through systems and avoid detection — these aren’t isolated incidents,” the source said.
Federal and State Tensions Escalate
The public exchange between DHS and Gov. Newsom highlights the ongoing tension between state and federal authorities over immigration enforcement in California — a sanctuary state that often resists federal intervention.
While the Biden administration has generally avoided large-scale immigration raids in progressive states, DHS and ICE say they have a duty to intervene when human trafficking, labor abuse, or criminal enterprise is suspected.
With the 2026 midterm elections looming and immigration policy once again taking center stage, incidents like the Ventura cannabis farm raid are likely to intensify the national debate over border security, labor rights, and the role of federal agencies in states with contrasting policies.