Andie Lopez Bornet
CARPINTERIA, Calif. – “ICE out of Carp! ICE out of Carp! ICE out of Carp!” Hundreds of people of all ages marched through Carpinteria on Saturday, chanting along Linden Avenue and Carpinteria Avenue to demand that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stay out of their community.
Protests have erupted across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties following large-scale federal immigration enforcement actions earlier this week that raised concern among residents.
“I’ve been feeling a lot of rage in our community, and also a lot of sadness,” said protester Audrey Kramer. “I cried, and I know a lot of my friends cried when what happened the other day happened. I was at work—I couldn’t do anything. I was helpless, you know?”
“I really believe that when ICE came here to a small, peaceful community, they poked a hornet’s nest,” said former Carpinteria Mayor Fred Shaw. “Because if nothing else, Carpinteria is always united to protect everybody who lives here.”
But not everyone agrees with the protesters’ message.
Uncover California podcast host Lori Mills said the demonstrations are “inciting fear and spreading misinformation,” and emphasized the need for the full story to be told.
“These protesters have become violent. There’s a lot of people who think, ‘Oh, ICE is just going in there and taking innocent people.’ That’s not the case—it’s not true,” Mills said. “If we had our federal agencies working together, they could go after the criminals. They could pick people up in the jails. But instead, now our federal agencies have been pushed blindly into the communities, and because of that, people who may be here—or maybe crossed the border 20 years ago—are getting caught up in it.”
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), on July 10, 2025, federal law enforcement officers executed criminal warrant operations at marijuana grow sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo. By July 13, officials reported that at least 14 migrant children were rescued from what authorities describe as potential exploitation, forced child labor, and human trafficking.
Federal agents also arrested at least 361 individuals described as “illegal aliens,” some with prior convictions for rape, serial burglary, hit-and-run incidents, and DUIs, according to Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
“At the California marijuana facilities, ICE and CBP law enforcement rescued at least 14 migrant children from what looks like exploitation, forced child labor, and potentially human trafficking or smuggling while facing assault and even gunfire,” McLaughlin stated. “Our brave agents also arrested at least 361 illegal aliens—including criminals with convictions for rape, serial burglary, hit and run and DUIs. As Secretary Noem stated, this is quickly becoming one of the largest operations since President Trump took office.”
DHS also reported that during the operation, more than 500 people attempted to disrupt federal activities. Four U.S. citizens are being criminally processed for allegedly assaulting or resisting officers. Authorities say rioters damaged vehicles and that one individual fired a gun at law enforcement personnel. The FBI is now offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for the gunfire.
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