A migrant died Saturday after falling 30 feet from a roof during a raid led by federal immigration officials at a marijuana farm in Southern California, according to his family.
Jaime Alanis Garcia died as a result of his injuries after suffering a broken neck and skull, according to reports, after being placed on life support.
“His wife and parents decided today to let him rest. He has passed away,” his niece said in a statement Saturday.
He is the first known person to die during the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations.
Teresa Romero, president of United Farm Workers, a labor union that has long represented California farmworkers from Mexico, said the union was heartbroken.
“Our hearts are heavy for the grieving family of Jaime Alanis, who died from injuries sustained during a chaotic raid on Thursday,” she said. “We’ll do everything we can to support them.”
Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection officers on Thursday conducted raids at a cannabis farm in Camarillo, California, and another in Carpinteria. The operation drew backlash from California Democrats, including Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), who claimed the migrant workers were picking strawberries. The Trump administration disputed that characterization.
Garcia fell 30 feet from a building when he was possibly trying to run away from federal agents, according to his family. He was present at the cannabis farm in Camarillo in Ventura County.
The Department of Homeland Security disputed reports that said he was being chased by law enforcement before his accident.
“This man was not in and has not been in CBP or ICE custody,” the department said. “Although he was not being pursued by law enforcement, this individual climbed up to the roof of a green house and fell 30 feet. CBP immediately called a medivac to the scene to get him care as quickly as possible.”
The Washington Examiner contacted DHS for clarification on Garcia’s immigration status.
These raids were part of the largest immigration operations since the Trump administration launched its mass deportation campaign. Over 200 illegal immigrants were arrested across both marijuana farms.
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ICE conducted the raids over concerns of possible exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking involving migrant child workers. At least 10 migrant children were rescued during the operation, DHS said in a Friday statement.
During the operation, ICE and CBP officers came under gunfire from a masked gunman. The FBI is investigating the unidentified shooter, who remains at large.
