A day after immigration raids at two California farms, Trump complained about the “tremendous damage” done by protesters who had thrown rocks at Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
Federal officials have said 200 people were arrested at the Camarillo farms, which grow cannabis, tomatoes and cucumbers, and the Associated Press reported that the raids and protests left at least 12 people injured — one of them gravely.
A family member of Jaime Alanís told the AP he had picked tomatoes at the farm for 10 years. The people who brought him to the hospital reportedly told doctors he’d fallen from a roof while trying to get away from the raid.
“He was chased by ICE agents, and we were told he fell 30ft,” a relative wrote on GoFundMe.
The United Farm Workers union said Friday that he had died.
Trump, meanwhile, focused on further escalating the law enforcement response.
“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Thursday’s operation already featured heavily armed and outfitted agents, who threw smoke canisters at protesters. U.S. citizens were among those detained at the scene, and they were only released after they deleted photos and videos of the raid from their phones, according to UFW.