East Tennessee Immigration Raid: Perspectives From Community Responders and Service Providers

In 2018, Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted a large-scale workplace raid in East Tennessee. Nearly 100 workers were initially arrested, with 54 being detained out of state. Grief and fear associated with the raid rippled across families and the community. In response, community organizations, faith leaders, and other advocates provided both immediate and long-term emotional support and financial relief to address basic needs. The current qualitative study was designed to explore experiences of community responders and providers who supported families, through individual interviews. Participants ( n = 11) were asked a set of semi-open-ended questions regarding their roles, as well as the short- and long-term impacts of the raid. Transcribed interviews were coded by two research team members, applying inductive thematic analysis approaches. Three overarching themes emerged: (1) Immediate Response; (2) Impact of the Raid; and (3) Barriers and Lessons Learned. Results suggest that both community members and providers responded immediately following the raid, providing donations and support. The raid detrimentally impacted families who had a member detained, the community, and providers themselves. Multiple barriers and lessons learned emerged to inform preparation in this and other communities. Findings offer crucial insights for understanding not only the needs but also effective strategies for responding to raids.