Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (commonly known as “ICE”) agents aren’t just grabbing people off the streets – they’re also showing up at places of employment. One recent raid targeted a Hyundai plant in Georgia, and others are invading construction sites, vacation spots, meat production facilities, and Home Depot locations.
Their newest area of focus? Cannabis farms. And they’re not just looking at illegal ones, either.
Glass House Farms is the largest legal cannabis grower in California and one of the largest in the country. Anyone who regularly shops at dispensaries in the state likely recognizes the Glass House Brand, which has soared past all other California cannabis growers and, as a result, attracted considerable scrutiny.
In 2023, one of their competitors, Catalyst Cannabis Co., sued Glass House, accusing the company of becoming “one of the largest, if not the largest, black marketers of cannabis in the state of California.” Although the court eventually dismissed the lawsuit, Glass House’s rising sales have kept the company in the spotlight.
ICE may have targeted Glass House for its first cannabis farm raid because of this attention, although the agency stated it was investigating reports of child labor and human trafficking. Glass House Brands released a statement on X shortly after, stating, “Glass House has never knowingly violated applicable hiring practices.” Many feel, however, that the raid had a more sinister purpose – namely, to intimidate the greater cannabis industry and scare its workers away.
The July 10 raid led to over 360 arrests, including those of four American citizens. ICE didn’t seize any marijuana, but the message was clear: cannabis farms are being watched.
If you work at a cannabis farm, there’s now a reasonable chance that you may encounter an ICE raid at some point. Unfortunately, this means that the cannabis industry is no longer ideal for undocumented workers. The illegality of cannabis on a federal level has made it substantially more dangerous than working other jobs, like construction. The United Farm Workers union even posted a warning after the Glass Farms raid, writing: “If you are not a citizen, it is safest to stay away from work in cannabis, including jobs in growing, trimming, packaging, or retail.”
ICE has also wrongfully arrested many U.S. citizens in its raids, making these operations feel risky for everyone. How can you ensure you aren’t accidentally carted off?
While it can seem frightening, you do have rights – regardless of whether you are a legal or illegal citizen. So, if ICE comes knocking at your door during work, here are a few ways to protect yourself and those around you.
The first way to ensure your rights are respected by ICE agents is to know them yourself, so take some time to learn the basics. This will also help you stay calm and collected if you experience a raid firsthand.
Everyone is owed the right to due process, which includes:
If you are an undocumented immigrant, contacting an immigration lawyer before getting arrested can help you determine your options and create a game plan in case ICE detains you.
Carry proof of your legal immigration status, if you have it – but do not carry false papers, as this can only hurt you if you are detained.
Some people carry “red cards,” which are useful in the event of a raid. These cards contain reminders of your basic rights or can be handed to ICE to state that you are exercising those rights while remaining silent.
Although it is grim, preparing your family and friends for your possible detainment can help ensure their safety in your absence. Create a game plan that outlines who they should contact, where to find important documents, and how to reach you if ICE arrests you at work.
If ICE agents show up at your job, stay calm. Do not run, question them, or try to fight them.
ICE agents are legally allowed to enter public areas, but their reach stops there unless they have a search warrant signed by a judge. If they ask you for access to a private area, simply tell them that you can’t permit them to enter and that they need to speak to your employer. Alert your boss, but do not say anything else. Legally, ICE will need permission from your boss or a warrant to enter any private areas.
If ICE tries to detain you or another worker, you do not need to speak to them or answer any questions. You can hand them a red card or tell them that you are enacting your right to remain silent.
Do not lie, give agents false papers, or sign anything. Staying silent is the best thing you can do at this time. If ICE is acting unlawfully, try to film them; it can help you prove any wrongful actions in court, if necessary.
If any of your coworkers are arrested but you aren’t, ask the ICE agents where they are being taken.
If you are not arrested in the raid, call your local rapid response network as soon as possible to report the ICE activity and what happened. You can also notify your union, if you are in one. Write down your perspective on the events, including whether or not ICE agents violated laws, mistreated anyone, or were armed.
If possible, try to help alert your coworker’s families as to what happened and where the ICE agents took them.
If you are arrested, continue to exercise your rights. Don’t sign anything, and only speak to ask for both your phone call and your attorney. Your lawyer can help you determine your next steps based on your individual circumstances.
We are living through scary times in America, and it can feel overwhelming to know how to handle a circumstance like an ICE raid. However, no matter what your immigration or legal status is, always remember that you do have rights.
If you want to help but aren’t sure how, there are ways to act on a local level to make your community safer. Donate to legal defense funds and immigration organizations, report ICE activity you see in your city, and urge your local politicians to refuse to cooperate with ICE. If you see them out in public, start filming; sometimes, this is enough to make them leave.
This fight truly starts on a community level, and supporting your friends, coworkers, and neighbors will go a long way in making the country safer for everyone.
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