Worker detained in workplace ICE raid in Georgia files FTCA claim
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2026
CONTACT:
Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta, media@advancingjustice-atlanta.org
Atlanta, GA – Alfredo Fajardo Melgarejo filed a claim today under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) to challenge violent and unlawful conduct by officers of U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement (ICE) during a worksite raid. Mr. Fajardo is one of approximately 475 workers detained during the ICE raid conducted on September 4, 2025 at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Ellabell, Georgia.
Centro de los Derechos del Migrante and Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta represent Mr. Fajardo in his claim.
According to the claim, on September 4, 2025, armed federal officers, including ICE officers, stormed the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (“Metaplant”), an electric vehicle production site, and detained approximately 475 workers, most or all of whom were Latino or Asian.
Mr. Fajardo claims officers used excessive force and militaristic tactics to detain him without probable cause, needlessly terrorizing him in the process. He says that armed ICE officers kicked down the door to his workspace, shouting at him in English—a language he has very little understanding of. They choked, manhandled, and humiliated him at gunpoint before placing him under arrest, even though he was not resisting or attempting to flee. During the assault, the ICE officer commented about “fucking Latinos” and pressed on Mr. Fajardo’s body with so much force he involuntarily urinated.
Even though Mr. Fajardo showed the officers documentation of his immigration status and valid work permit, officers placed him in chains and bussed him and other coworkers to the Folkston ICE Processing Center in Folkston, Georgia, where he was detained for over seven months. ICE then transferred Mr. Fajardo to Jackson Parish Correctional Center in Louisiana, where he was detained for another month, until he was eventually deported in or around May 2026—approximately eight months after the raid. Mr. Fajardo says he was denied a phone call for the first eleven days of his detention, leading his family to believe that he was dead. He also claims that he suffered from medical neglect in detention.
The Federal Tort Claims Act allows individuals to sue the U.S. government for injury, property loss, or death caused by the negligence of a federal employee. Through this claim, Mr. Fajardo seeks to hold the government accountable for ICE officers’ egregious and unlawful acts and his resulting injuries, which led to months of detention and serious physical, emotional, and mental harm.
“The use of force during the raid was excessive. We are hardworking and humble people who work hard every day. I showed the government that I had my permit, paid my taxes, and had everything in order. To me, it was a very clear violation of our rights. They abused a humble, hardworking person who did not resist and wanted to follow the authorities’ instructions. Now I am no longer afraid of anything. I would like to see justice served.” — Alfredo Fajardo Melgarejo.
“ICE officers are not above the law. Centro de los Derechos del Migrante is proud to stand with Alfredo Fajardo in his courageous fight against injustice. All workers deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, no matter their immigration status.” -- Julia Solórzano, Legal and Policy Director, Centro de los Derechos del Migrante.
“Mr. Fajardo’s pursuit of accountability and justice sends an important message: ICE’s cruelty and lawlessness will not be tolerated. We commend Mr. Fajardo’s courage and fortitude and are proud to stand with him in defense of his human rights, and the rights of all workers, to fair and humane treatment.” - Meredyth Yoon, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta.
"Hyundai workers need to know that they are not alone. A year after the raid, many workers and their families are still carrying the impact of what happened. By bringing together CDM's legal expertise and our deep relationships with communities in South GA, we can ensure workers have access to trusted support, resources, and information — not only as they recover from what happened, but as they move forward. Together, we are building long-term support that helps workers know their rights, advocate for themselves and their coworkers, and have a stronger voice in shaping safer and more just workplaces. Together, we are still fighting." --Migrant Equity Southeast
Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta (Advancing Justice-Atlanta) is the first nonprofit legal advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the civil rights of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) and Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian (AMEMSA) communities in Georgia and the Southeast.
