Community members are speaking out against the arrest of a CSU Channel Islands Professor during a protest following an immigration raid at a farm in Camarillo.
Members of the California Faculty Association held a vigil Sunday in front of the detention center in downtown LA, demanding the release of Jonathan Carvavello.
“We don’t know how he’s doing, when he’ll be released. CFA is devastated by it,” said Nichelle Henderson from California State University, Fresno.
Vigil organizers say that Caravello is a U.S. citizen and has been working at CSU Channel Islands for over five years.
“Calling for the release of our Colleague who is a public servant in California, who is a beloved professor to students at Cal State Channel Islands,” said Alejandra Marchevsky, professor at Cal State LA.
NBC4 obtained the criminal complaint against Caravello that includes surveillance photos that the Department of Homeland Security is identifying as Caravello.
The complaint alleges that Caravello threw a tear gas canister at Border Patrol agents. Court documents go on to state that Caravello allegedly left the area, changed clothes and then came back before he was arrested by border patrol agents.
Caravello is expected to have a court appearance Monday, according to U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli.
Organizers of Sunday’s vigil say they will continue to stand in solidarity following the immigration raids in Southern California.
“This is a time for solidarity. A time for all of us to come together, whether you’re a part of a labor union, regardless of your culture, ethnicity, your background,” said Henderson.
Over 300 people were arrested Thursday at two immigration enforcement operations at farms in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced Saturday that federal agents arrested 319 people during the operations at Glass House Farms near Camarillo and Carpinteria.
“I was just given an update on Thursday’s operation at the marijuana facility in California. @DHSgov law enforcement rescued 14 children from potential forced labor, exploitation, and trafficking. They arrested 319 illegal aliens. They faced assaults, violence, and even bullets fired at them. Thank you to the brave men and women of @ICEgov and @CBP law enforcement. This is quickly becoming one of the largest operations since President Trump took office,” wrote Noem.
DHS said the law enforcement activity was part of an investigation into immigration and potential child labor violations.
During a standoff that went on for hours near Camarillo, agents clashed with protesters on roads surrounded by sprawling farm fields in the community northwest of Los Angeles. Four people were arrested on suspicion of assaulting or resisting officers, the DHS said.
Video showed several white vans, similar to those seen at other immigration enforcement operations in Southern California, and at least one U.S. Marshals Service bus at the scene. Details about where the detained individuals were taken were not immediately available.