Georgia Communities Condemn Government Raid Tearing People from their Jobs and Threatening Civil Liberties

Contact: media@asianamericanadvocacyfund.org

Today, immigrant rights and social justice organizations across Georgia are sounding the alarm after witnessing the largest ICE raid in history at the Hyundai supplier and LG Energy Solution plant in Ellabell, GA. Without warning, 475 workers were taken from their jobs midday.

This raid is not an isolated incident. It is part of a dangerous, escalating pattern of government agencies abducting people from schools, neighborhoods, airports, and workplaces with growing impunity. If workers fear going to their jobs, there will be instability across industries and daily life. When 475 workers are taken, more than 475 families are impacted, and an entire community is broken apart. 

Yesterday, it was Hyundai’s and LG Energy Solution plant workers. Tomorrow, it could be any one of us — because we have already seen at scale the efforts to chip away at our collective civil liberties. This is not normal and is unacceptable. Our communities know the workers targeted at Hyundai are everyday people who are trying to feed their families, build stronger communities, and work toward a better future. 

Hundreds of individuals abducted in the raids are now at the Folkston ICE Processing Center (FIPC) located in Charlton County. FIPC has a well-documented history of inhumane conditions and violations found by federal inspectors. It is also currently slated to become the largest immigrant detention center in the country. 

We call on everyone in our communities to heed the warning call of this action and demand more of the leaders elected to positions of power based on their promises to protect all Georgians. Take action now – call bit.ly/calltospeakout, email bit.ly/emailtospeakout, and donate bit.ly/mesesupport to support impacted families and demand immediate accountability and protection for immigrant communities. Now, more than ever, Georgia’s communities need elected leaders who will protect and defend the most vulnerable and targeted communities. We will continue to organize and protect our communities, and we demand our representatives do the same.

This statement is issued jointly by the following organizations:

Migrant Equity Southeast

Asians Are Strong

Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Atlanta

Asian American Advocacy Fund

Asian American Voices for Education

Asian American Women’s Political Initiative (AAWPI)

Asian Leaders Alliance 

Asian Student Alliance

CASA

Centro de los Derechos del Migrante

Common Cause Georgia

Demo Lab South

Filipino Leadership Alumni Network

GALEO Impact Fund

Georgia AAPI Hub

Georgia Advancing Progress PAC

Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network

Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights (GLAHR)

Jobs to Move America

Latino Community Fund (LCF GA)

Los Vecinos de Buford Highway

Malaya Movement Georgia

National Immigration Project

Women Watch Afrika

We Love Buford Highway