WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump’s immigration advisor and “border czar,” Tom Homan, called the recent death of a Mexican farmworker following an immigration raid in California “unfortunate,” but defended the actions of federal agents involved.
“It’s sad. It’s unfortunate,” Homan said in an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash on State of the Union. “No one wants to see people die. But ICE was doing its job.”
The remarks come after the July 10 raid at two cannabis farms north of Los Angeles—Glass House Farms near Camarillo and another site in Carpinteria, Ventura County—resulted in around 200 arrests of undocumented workers.
Among them was Jaime Alanis, a 57-year-old Mexican national, who died the following day. According to multiple reports, Alanis climbed onto the roof of a greenhouse in an attempt to evade federal officers and fell approximately 30 feet, suffering fatal injuries.
In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the operation was aimed at combating human trafficking and child labor. The agency said agents rescued at least 10 migrant children believed to be victims of forced labor or exploitation.
Despite the tragic outcome, Homan emphasized that the farmworker was never in federal custody.
“He wasn’t in ICE custody. ICE didn’t have their hands on this person,” Homan said, distancing immigration agents from direct involvement in the fatal fall.
The raids sparked chaotic scenes, including confrontations between immigration agents and protesters that continued late into the evening. National Guard soldiers were deployed to secure the area and block demonstrators.
Teresa Romero, president of the United Farm Workers, said several other workers were also critically injured during the operation, and called for greater accountability in the aftermath.
The incident has fueled renewed controversy over Trump’s hardline immigration policies, which remain central to his 2024 reelection campaign. Raids and workplace enforcement actions have increased in frequency under his administration’s second term, with officials claiming they are necessary to crack down on illegal labor practices and protect vulnerable migrant workers.
The DHS has not released additional details about the conditions on the farms or the legal status of those arrested. The Walnut Creek-based Glass House Farms has not publicly commented on the incident.
