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

Women Watch Afrika, partners, and immigrant rights and social justice organizations across Georgia released a Press Statement in Response to the ICE Raid in Ellabel, GA:

For Immediate Release
September 6, 2025

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 Senator Jon Ossoff at (912) 200-9402 and Senator Raphael Warnock at (770) 694-7828 to 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