In a poignant ceremony filled with tears, embraces, and heartfelt memories, the family and community of Jaime Alanís Garcia gathered to mourn the loss of a beloved husband and father. Alanís Garcia, 56, tragically died after falling 30 feet from a greenhouse roof while fleeing federal immigration agents during a raid on July 10, 2025, at the Glass House Farms cannabis operations in Camarillo, California.
The wake was held on July 21 at the Camino del Sol Funeral Home in Oxnard, drawing dozens of family members, friends, and community supporters. The small chapel was packed, with many attendees standing as they paid their respects. The somber atmosphere was punctuated by a hand-drawn portrait of Alanís Garcia surrounded by monarch butterflies, red roses, and a large white floral cross, gifts from his wife and daughter awaiting his return to their native Michoacán, Mexico.
His niece, Yesenia Duran, spoke movingly about her uncle’s final moments, describing him as “hiding, trying to stay alive” during the chaotic raid. “He was loved by the community,” she said, emphasizing the deep affection many held for the hardworking man. According to Duran, Alanís Garcia was not involved in any criminal activity, and the family continues to seek answers about the circumstances that led to his death.
The federal immigration operation that day was intense and fraught with conflict. Agents raided two cannabis greenhouse facilities owned by Glass House Farms, detaining over 300 undocumented workers and igniting a prolonged standoff with protesters outside the Camarillo site. Tear gas canisters and less-lethal bullets were deployed, injuring some protesters. Among those detained were U.S. citizens George Retes and Jonathan Caravello, the latter a CSU Channel Islands professor, both arrested amid clashes with demonstrators. Retes was released without charges after three days, and Caravello was released on bail on July 14, facing charges related to handling a tear gas canister.
In the midst of this turmoil, Alanís Garcia attempted to escape by climbing atop a greenhouse, but tragically fell approximately 30 feet, suffering catastrophic head and neck injuries. He was rushed to Ventura County Medical Center and placed on life support, but succumbed to his injuries on July 12, as confirmed by the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Alanís Garcia was not actively pursued by agents and that emergency medical services were called promptly. However, Duran disputed this account, suggesting that agents may have used tear gas and rubber bullets inside the greenhouse, causing glass to break beneath him. She called the raid “reckless” and criticized the federal narrative, insisting that the family is still waiting for a full autopsy report and more comprehensive investigation.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum weighed in on the tragedy, condemning the circumstances of Alanís Garcia’s death as “unacceptable” during a July 15 news conference. She expressed solidarity with the grieving family and indicated that the Mexican government might pursue legal action against the United States. “It’s lamentable that this happened,” she said, underscoring the seriousness with which her administration views the incident.
At the funeral home, Isaac Alanis, 28, a cousin who regarded Alanís Garcia as an uncle, shared warm memories of the man’s joyful spirit. Alanis recalled how his uncle would visit for dinner nearly every evening, enjoying a variety of foods from traditional Mexican dishes like menudo and pozole to Chinese cuisine, which he ate with a fork due to unfamiliarity with chopsticks. Before working at Glass House Farms, Alanís Garcia spent a decade at a flower nursery. Alanis described him as an extrovert who was always laughing and spreading joy.
Isaac Alanis wore a shirt bearing his uncle’s photo with the words “justice for Jaime,” reflecting the family’s determination to uncover the truth behind his death. The Mexican consulate in Oxnard, represented by officials including Ricardo Santana Velázquez and Vanessa Calva Ruiz from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, offered their condolences and assistance. They are helping facilitate the repatriation of Alanís Garcia’s remains to Michoacán, with the Mexican government covering transportation costs and related fees. His body is expected to leave Oxnard on July 24 to begin its journey home.
The evening vigil included a rosary service led by Deacon Fernando Flores of Ventura’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The mourners recited Hail Marys in Spanish, many moved to tears. A guitarist performed “Caminos de Michoacán,” a traditional ranchera ballad paying homage to Alanís Garcia’s homeland. His brother-in-law’s voice rose from the pews, lamenting, “He won’t return anymore. It’s a disgrace. Long live Jaime. To beautiful Michoacán we will take him.”
The loss of Jaime Alanís Garcia has resonated deeply within the Oxnard and Camarillo communities, highlighting the human cost behind federal immigration enforcement actions. Protesters and community members who witnessed the July 10 raid expressed sorrow and frustration, with some wearing black T-shirts emblazoned with Alanís Garcia’s image and calls for justice.
Gia Zelaya, a protest participant and American citizen, voiced her dismay: “It makes me really sad to see someone who lost their life and the government has no remorse.” The incident has sparked broader discussions about the tactics used during immigration raids, the treatment of undocumented workers, and the urgent need for accountability.
As the family prepares to say goodbye on home soil, they hold onto the hope that Alanís Garcia’s death will not be in vain. His niece, Yesenia Duran, and cousin Isaac Alanis remain steadfast in their pursuit of answers and justice, determined to honor his memory and the life he lived with dignity and joy.
