Federal agents arrest group organizer in Oxnard

A clash between protestors and federal agents in Oxnard on Wednesday morning caused chaos and fear in the community as a targeted immigration operation took place. Several videos posted on social media showed how the agents started making their appearance at dawn near Panaderia Vanessa on North A Street and Palm Street.  

The area was yellow-taped and more than a dozen vehicles lined up on the street with more than 30 or 40 agents, according to witnesses. 

“They started pulling out assault rifles and batons and just generally, making a menace of themselves,” said Joseph Dobzynski, a witness to the operation. “What I discovered was that they really don't know what they're doing. They're not coordinated. They don't know how to control people.”

A couple of dozen protesters arrived shouting “ICE out of Oxnard” and the officers started throwing pepper spray and other chemical gases at the crowd. Some agents arrived in an armored vehicle. 

Dobzynski said officers seemed unfit for their position and the violent tactics they use are out of fear because they don’t seem to have been properly trained. 

One of the videos showed agents running to the crowd. One of them falls and as he gets up he grabs a female teenager. It is unknown if she was taken into custody. 

Other people said the area seemed like a war zone. 

At least one person was arrested

In response to the immigration operation, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) arrested Isai Carrillo, “who was caught on tape throwing rocks at law enforcement during an operation at Glass House Farms” in Camarillo on July 10, 2025.

McLaughlin called Carrillo a “violent rioter” who is “part of an agitator group called VC Defensa – a rapid response network that regularly impedes and obstructs law enforcement.”

CALÓ News tried to obtain a comment from VC Defensa but hasn’t received a response. However, they posted a statement on social media saying the DOJ statement against VC Defensa is false.

"This is part of a witch hunt against anyone who uses their First Amendment rights to organize and speak out against ICE's campaign of terror on immigrant communities," VC Defensa said in the social media post. 

That same morning, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said at a press conference that 10 people had been arrested and federally charged in three different criminal complaints, including engaging in violence and civil disorder against the federal officers and property during immigration raids. 

The people participated in one of the following actions; on June 6 at a protest outside of Ambiance Apparel in downtown L.A., on June 8 protest in downtown Los Angeles, and the July 10  immigration raid in Camarillo. 

In a press release, the Department of Justice said that one more defendant is in state custody and is expected to be handed over to federal authorities and one more defendant is a fugitive. 

“There is zero tolerance for violence against law enforcement officers,” said Essayli in a statement. “During the summer we warned the public that anyone who engages in any violence will eventually be brought to justice. Today we are delivering on that promise and will continue to hold those who violated the law accountable.”  

All 12 defendants are charged with federal crimes alleging they committed violence against law enforcement authorities and property.