Federal immigration authorities raided Glass House Farms in California on Thursday, triggering political fallout as new scrutiny emerged over the cannabis company’s leadership and political ties. The farm’s co-founder and president, Graham Farrar, has donated thousands of dollars to prominent Democrats in California—including Governor Gavin Newsom—raising questions about potential political favoritism amid an escalating investigation into illegal labor practices.
Farrar, based in Santa Barbara, has made repeated donations to local Democratic committees and lawmakers, including $10,000 to Governor Newsom’s 2018 campaign and a contribution to Assemblymember Gregg Hart as recently as July 2023. Records also show financial support for Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA). Despite this, Customs and Border Protection confirmed that nine unaccompanied migrant children working at the facility were rescued during the operation. The farm is now under investigation for alleged child labor violations.
CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott confirmed the operation, stating that law enforcement had intervened to protect minors. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin added, “So glad our law enforcement could rescue another child.”
Glass House Brands, the parent company, acknowledged receipt of federal warrants and claimed compliance. In a public statement, the company denied knowingly hiring minors or violating labor laws, asserting that operations would continue as normal. “We verified the warrants were valid and we complied,” the company stated.
Farrar later posted on X: “We have a lot of questions too… Our team has been continually on site and we are focused on taking care of our people and our plants.”
Politically, the raid has exposed tensions. Newsom’s team attempted to deflect criticism by accusing the media of ignoring the company’s ties to Republican donors, particularly CEO Kyle Kazan. Newsom’s senior adviser Lindsey Cobia stated that Kazan was a “Trump supporter” and had “donated to the Governor’s recall,” although public records reviewed by Fox News Digital show Kazan has made donations to both parties, including contributions to ActBlue as recently as June 2024.
Notably, no donation from Kazan to Trump’s presidential campaigns was found.
Protests broke out during the Camarillo raid, with demonstrators clashing with federal agents. Law enforcement deployed tear gas and smoke to control the crowd. Military helicopters were used to assist in flushing out suspects hiding in the fields. A second Glass House facility in Carpinteria was also raided.
In a more serious development, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli revealed that the FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information on a suspect who reportedly fired a weapon at federal officers during the Camarillo operation.
Oxnard Mayor Luis McArthur criticized the raids, calling ICE’s actions “insensitive” and vowing to explore legal responses with the state attorney general’s office.
Governor Newsom condemned the reported firearm incident when asked by a right-leaning social media account, replying, “Of course I condemn any assault on law enforcement, you sh*poster. Now do Jan 6.” He followed with a post attacking federal immigration enforcement under Trump: “California prosecutes child exploiters and traffickers. Trump tear-gasses children, rips them from their parents, and deports farmworkers. Priorities.”
