ICE Agents Recorded Chasing Farmworkers In California As Immigration Enforcement Operations Soar

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were recorded chasing farmworkers on in California as the Trump administration ramps up enforcement operations in the state and across the country.

The images, broadcasted by ABC News, show two agents chasing a man through a farm before taking him down. The outlet detailed that the incident took place at an Oxnadrd farm in Ventura County, with a worker describing how the scene unfolded.

"We saw a car when we were on the side, the car was coming and ICE was following the car," said the worker, who asked to remain anonymous. "What I fear is that sometimes out of necessity, it forces us to show up wherever there's work," the worker added.

Oxnard Mayor Luis McArthur said his office also "received reports of ICE agents attempting to enter agricultural fields in our city and also stopping vehicles." "These actions are completely unjustified and harmful. They create chaos and distress in our community without contributing much to public safety," he added.

The operation coincides with ongoing protests in the city, which followed widespread immigration operations across the city. The Trump administration has deployed thousands of National Guard troops against the wishes of California Governor Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. Hundreds of Marines are being deployed as well.

While the Trump administration is doubling down on such operations, not all Republicans are on board. David Valadao, from California's 22nd Congressional District, said on Tuesday he remains "concerned about ongoing ICE operations throughout CA and will continue" conversations "with the administration —urging them to prioritize the removal of known criminals over the hardworking people who have lived peacefully in the Valley for years."

Valadao is among the most vulnerable Republicans in the Lower House, not only due to potential backlash from those opposed to the raids. He also supported a recent bill aimed to address critical labor shortages in the U.S. agricultural sector through a combination of legalization for undocumented farmworkers and reforms to the H-2A guestworker visa program.

The bill, led by Representatives Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), comes amid warnings from growers that labor shortages could lead to rising food prices, disrupted supply chains, and long-term harm to domestic agriculture.