Since the immigration raid at a Hyundai manufacturing site in Georgia, which detained nearly 500 workers, panicked families have been seeking assistance, according to Rosie Harrison of the Grow Initiative.
We have individuals returning calls every day, but the list doesn’t end, said Harrison, who helps low-income families find food and housing resources.
The raid, described as one of the largest in two decades, predominantly affected Korean workers, many of whom have since returned to their home country. Advocates are particularly concerned about non-Korean detainees who are still unaccounted for.
As part of the sudden crackdown, workers faced various challenges, with some hiding to evade detention. Reports indicate that federal agents confiscated cell phones from many, leading relatives to frantically seek information. People off-site called our organization frantically seeking the whereabouts of loved ones who worked at the plant and were suddenly unreachable, said spokesperson Vanessa Contreras of Migrant Equity Southeast.
While many arrested individuals are in legal limbo, some had valid work authorizations, intensifying the confusion surrounding the raid's execution. According to attorney Charles Kuck, some of his clients were in compliance with employment laws under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
The ramifications extend beyond immediate arrests, particularly affecting families with detained breadwinners who now face uncertainty over basic needs such as baby formula and food. The financial strain is aggravated by additional layoffs due to the impending closure of the International Paper Co., which is set to displace about 800 workers.
Harrison described the emotional toll of the situation, with desperate families reaching out amid cries from children asking for their missing parents. This raid reflects an aggressive immigration enforcement strategy that continues to invoke fear and confusion among immigrant communities.
