Border Czar Responds After Death of Mexican Worker

Death in ICE raid
Homan defends the operation
Protests over immigration tactics

President Donald Trump’s “border czar,” Tom Homan, described as “unfortunate” the death of a Mexican farmworker following an immigration raid in California.

In an interview with CNN, Homan appeared serious as he discussed the matter and firmly defended the actions of agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“It’s sad. It’s unfortunate,” Homan told Dana Bash on the program State of the Union.

He then added: “It’s obviously unfortunate when there are deaths.” “No one wants to see people die,” according to USA Today.

The “Border Czar” Breaks His Silence

Trump ‘border czar’ responds to California farmworker’s death after immigration sweep https://t.co/RT0dccLF6R

— USA TODAY Politics (@usatodayDC) July 13, 2025

The incident took place on July 11 in northern Los Angeles, when federal agents inspected two cannabis farms and carried out a large-scale operation.

About 200 workers were arrested during the ICE raid, while chaos erupted in the agricultural fields.

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Jaime Alanis, 57, was injured while climbing onto the roof of a greenhouse in an apparent attempt to escape immigration agents.

According to several reports, Alanis fell from a height of approximately nine meters and fractured his neck when he hit the ground.

Details of the Immigration Raid on Farms

“This Is Not Law Enforcement It’s State Violence” Farm Worker Hiding From ICE Dies In Fall https://t.co/Ie3cOHzCnf

— #TuckFrump (@realTuckFrumper) July 12, 2025

Jaime Alanis was rushed to a local hospital, where he remained in critical condition for several hours.

He died on July 12, a day after the raid, leaving his colleagues and family devastated.

The operation was heavily criticized by union leaders and pro-immigrant activists who condemned what they described as intimidating tactics and risks to the safety of the workers.

Teresa Romero, president of the United Farm Workers union, reported that other workers were seriously injured while trying to flee from the agents.

Conclusion

In his CNN interview, Tom Homan rejected the idea that Alanis’s death was directly the responsibility of the ICE raid.

“He was not in ICE custody,” said the former acting director of the federal agency. “ICE did not have this person under its control.”

Homan insisted that the agents were “doing their job” by executing arrest warrants at the inspected farms.

The case has reignited the national debate over Donald Trump’s immigration policies, known for their hardline stance at the border and in agricultural communities.

Civil rights organizations have called for an independent investigation into the ICE raid and its deadly consequences.

So far, the federal government has not issued an official statement beyond Homan’s comments, who has long been one of the most visible figures in the president’s immigration policy.

The death of Alanis adds further tension to an already polarized climate, as thousands of undocumented farmworkers fear for their safety and future in the United States.