Steve Cortes, President of the League of American Workers, has emphasized the need for increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforcement in Arizona to address potential child labor by illegal immigrants. This statement was made during an interview where he referenced a recent case in California.
“Children of illegal aliens working on a pot farm in California,” said Cortes. “This is why we need to unleash ICE in Arizona to find out if similar exploitation is happening here. Any Arizona officials who get in the way are supporting child exploitation.”
According to AP News, federal agents conducted a raid at Glass House Farms in Camarillo, California, targeting a cannabis cultivation facility. The operation resulted in a confrontation with protesters, during which authorities used smoke canisters to disperse the crowd. Glass House Farms confirmed that it was visited by ICE officials and said its full compliance with agent search warrants. This incident highlights heightened federal immigration enforcement in the region, contributing to increased anxiety within immigrant communities.
The Economic Policy Institute reported a 37% increase in minors employed in violation of child labor laws over the past year, with a 283% rise since 2015. This trend coincides with legislative efforts in at least ten states to roll back child labor protections. The report emphasizes that these developments pose significant risks to young workers’ safety and well-being, particularly in hazardous occupations.
Arizona has experienced a notable increase in child labor law violations. According to state data cited by the Arizona Republic, there has been a sharp rise in complaints and investigations over the past five years. The Arizona Department of Labor reported a 75% increase in child labor investigations from 2019 to 2023, particularly in industries such as agriculture, food service, and hospitality. This trend reflects broader national concerns as Arizona lawmakers have considered legislation to relax restrictions on youth employment. Child welfare advocates criticize such moves, arguing they risk undermining essential protections for vulnerable young workers.
Cortes is the founder and president of the League of American Workers, a populist right pro-laborer advocacy group. He previously served as a senior advisor to President Donald Trump and has been a commentator for Fox News and CNN. Known for advocating patriotic populism emphasizing national sovereignty and populist economics, Cortes has appeared on TV news programs since 2007, beginning at CNBC before transitioning to politics. He graduated from Georgetown University.
