One year after immigration raid at Hyundai, migrant-support groups reflect on impact

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - One year after a major immigration raid in Bryan County at the Hyundai metasite, Migrant Equity Southeast and other organizations gathered downtown Friday to address the struggles immigrant families say they have faced since the operation.

Organizers held a news conference and ceremony to mark the anniversary of the raid, during which 475 people were detained. Some were later deported.

Multiple organizations said they have spent the past year working with affected families, providing translation services, resources and legal assistance. They said they have spent more than $100,000 helping families reconnect with loved ones and access support.

“We also pushed for the need for work to come together to build policy agenda for immigrant workers, and we’re still doing that a year later,” one speaker said.

Organizers said the first few days after the raid were especially difficult for families, who struggled to determine where their loved ones had been taken.

“The first couple of days were difficult for the families,” one speaker said. “It was not only difficult to know that they weren’t there with them, that they didn’t come home that day, but also because trying to locate them was difficult.”

According to organizers, many people were being processed at the same time at different immigration detention centers, making it difficult for families to locate their loved ones and know what was next.

Over the past year, organizations involved in the effort said they have helped reunite at least nine families.

They also highlighted ongoing legal efforts, including one person who has filed a claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act challenging what they allege was violent and unlawful conduct by ICE officers during the raid.

Speakers said they continue to advocate for policies supporting immigrant workers and families, while preparing for the possibility of another crisis.

Organizers said they have set a goal of raising another $100,000 to continue supporting immigrant communities across the Deep South.

“Because we cannot always predict when the next crisis will happen,” one speaker said.

The organizations said their work with families continues one year after the raid, with many speakers emphasizing that they believe significant challenges remain.