Strawberry season has begun at Strawberry Hill USA in Chesnee. Farm workers are busy harvesting ripened strawberries from the fields, Monday, May 9, 2022. Spa Strawberry Hill Usa 21
Ventura County, California – Ventura County farmworkers were shaken Thursday morning when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were spotted at West Coast Berry Farms, a major strawberry packing facility in Oxnard. Though no arrests or detentions occurred, the unexpected presence of federal agents was enough to prompt at least one worker to leave early and sparked widespread fear among others.
According to Ezequiel Ochoa, a site gatekeeper, the agents arrived at the entrance but were turned away after failing to produce a valid warrant. “We know not to open the gate unless a valid warrant is presented,” said Ochoa, indicating that staff had been trained to respond during such encounters. The agents reportedly left without further incident.
The event was first reported to the 805 Immigrant Rapid Response Network, a local organization that tracks immigration enforcement activity and provides support to affected communities. A woman whose sister works at the facility triggered an alert at approximately 11:30 a.m. The organization dispatched monitors and has remained in contact with workers as they seek to confirm details of the visit.
A manager at the Ventura site, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that ICE agents were present and that activists previously provided workers with Know Your Rights materials. These materials inform individuals—many of whom are undocumented or part of mixed-status families—about their legal protections when approached by immigration authorities.
Although ICE has yet to confirm the incident, their presence alone chilled the workforce. In agricultural communities like Ventura County—where immigrant labor forms the backbone of the economy—such unannounced visits can disrupt work and instill lasting fear, even when brief.
One worker left immediately after spotting the agents, fearing a broader enforcement action. “Even if no one is detained, just showing up sends a message that has consequences,” said a member of the Rapid Response Network.
West Coast Berry Farms, a major player in the region’s agriculture industry, did not respond to requests for comment.
By 3 p.m., as workers rotated shifts, the facility had returned to a state of calm. Still, immigrant advocacy groups remain concerned about the long-term effects of even minor ICE appearances at worksites. They argue that such tactics, whether intended to intimidate or not, can threaten the stability of essential workforces and undermine community trust.
