ICE raid thwarted

Potential ICE raid thwarted at Central Calif. strawberry packing facility

By Susana Canales Barrón

Federal immigration agents were reported at a major strawberry packing facility in Ventura County late Thursday morning, sparking fear among workers and prompting at least one to leave early. That fear, however, never culminated in a full-scale raid thanks to informed staff who knew their legal ground and asserted their right to deny entry without a warrant.

According to Ezequiel Ochoa, a gatekeeper at the site, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrived at the entrance but left shortly afterward when they were asked to present a warrant and failed to do so. “We know not to open the gate unless a valid warrant is presented,” Ochoa said.

The 805 Immigrant Rapid Response Network, a local immigrant rights organization, received an alert at approximately 11:30 a.m. from a woman whose sister works at the West Coast Berry Farms facility.

A manager at the Ventura site who wishes to remain anonymous (and was granted anonymity in accordance with Hearst’s ethics policy) confirmed the presence of ICE and noted that workers at the facility have been given Know Your Rights materials that inform individuals about their legal protections during encounters with immigration officials.

West Coast Berry Farms is an agricultural producer headquartered in Oxnard. The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Although ICE has not confirmed the visit, the agents’ appearance alone was enough to unsettle workers. At least one employee left work early, fearing a potential return by immigration authorities.

Ventura County, part of California’s vast agricultural belt, is home to thousands of farmworkers. Many of the workers are immigrants. Encounters with immigration officials at or near worksites, even when no detentions occur, can have a chilling effect on these communities.

The 805 Immigrant Rapid Response Network, which monitors and responds to reports of immigration enforcement activity, said it continues to investigate and remains in contact with workers at the facility.

As workers rotated shifts around 3 p.m., the scene remained calm, and no further ICE appearances were documented, Ochoa told SFGATE.