Jaime Garcia remains critical after falling from the roof during an ICE raid in Camarillo, California

A California farmworker is fighting for his life after falling 30 feet during a dramatic ICE raid that ignited violent clashes between federal agents and protesters in Camarillo, Ventura County. The man, identified by family as Jaime Alanis Garcia, remains in critical condition at Ventura County Medical Center, the hospital confirmed Friday evening.

Chaos erupted on Thursday, July 10, when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents carried out an aggressive enforcement operation at an agricultural site along Laguna Road. Protesters swiftly descended on the scene, resulting in tense confrontations and allegations of excessive force.

Bodycam footage and social media posts showed lines of federal officers blocking access, while demonstrators accused them of targeting undocumented workers and sowing fear among immigrant communities. As helicopters circled overhead and agents surrounded the area, a $50,000 reward was offered for information about a protester allegedly involved in a shooting incident connected to the clashes.

But the most alarming moment came when Garcia, a worker at the farm, fell from the roof of a greenhouse, reportedly while trying to flee the operation. Earlier in the day, local station KABC spoke with one of Garcia’s family members, who confirmed the fall and said he was not being detained at the time.

Officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) were quick to clarify that Garcia was not in custody, nor was he actively being pursued. Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, stated:

“This man was not in and has not been in CBP or ICE custody. Although he was not being pursued by law enforcement, this individual climbed up to the roof of a greenhouse and fell 30 feet. CBP immediately called a medivac to the scene to get him care as quickly as possible.”

Despite this, the United Farm Workers (UFW) union criticised the raid, claiming multiple workers were injured and some U.S. citizens remained unaccounted for. In a series of posts, UFW condemned the tactics used during the enforcement sweep and raised concerns about the mental and physical toll on farmworkers.

“Families are terrified, people are hurt, and the government is offering no answers,” the union said.

Witnesses on the ground described scenes of panic as agents stormed the site. Protesters claim the farm resembled a war zone, with armed officers, barricades, and the sound of drones and helicopters overhead.

Civil rights groups have called for an independent investigation into the raid, citing the use of force, lack of transparency, and potential violations of legal protections for workers. “This was not just a raid. It was an act of intimidation against an already vulnerable workforce,” said a spokesperson for the ACLU’s California chapter.

Federal agencies have not disclosed the number of arrests made or the specific charges involved in the Ventura County operation. However, Thursday’s raid was part of a broader crackdown targeting undocumented workers across Southern California, with additional enforcement reported at a second location.

The fallout has sparked fresh political tensions, with immigration advocates accusing the Biden administration of backtracking on promises to prioritise humane enforcement. Community leaders in Camarillo are now calling for support services for traumatised workers and for accountability from federal agencies.

As of Friday night, Garcia remains hospitalised and unresponsive, with his family at his bedside. His story has become a flashpoint in a wider debate over immigration, labour rights, and the use of federal force in agricultural communities.