The family of a farmworker who died after an immigration raid at a Camarillo cannabis grow house last month is demanding answers and accountability from United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Attorneys for relatives of Jaime Alanís Garcia filed a federal court claim. They allege ICE agents conducted an illegal search and seizure and used excessive force.
Alanís Garcia died in the hospital two days after he fell 30 feet off a building while he was possibly trying to run from federal agents chasing him. He was taken to the hospital with a broken neck and skull.
It happened during an enforcement operation at Glass House Farms.
“I have expected this to be like any other day,” said attorney Robbie Munoz. “He showed up to work, he expected that he was going to be able to perform his job, and go home to his family, and he never had that opportunity.”
The estate is seeking damages for Alanís Garcia’s pre-death pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost earnings and funeral costs, while his wife and daughter file a wrongful death action for loss of financial support, services, consortium, and inheritance he would have provided.
Attorneys say if ICE denies or doesn’t respond to their claim within six months, they may file a lawsuit in federal court.
Eyewitness News reached out to ICE for comment, but has yet to hear back.
After Alanís Garcia’s death, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin issued the following statement:
“This man was not in and has not been in CBP or ICE custody. Although he was not being pursued by law enforcement, this individual climbed up to the roof of a greenhouse and fell 30 feet. CBP immediately called a medivac to the scene to get him care as quickly as possible.”
