Friend, I just got back home from Tennessee where I was representing our class members in our Zelaya, et al. v Hammer, et al. case in court, and I have great news to share: A federal judge just granted final approval of our historic class settlement for immigrant workers who were illegally detained by law enforcement in a worksite raid in Tennessee in 2018.
This victory is a testament to the power and courage of our plaintiffs who bravely fought back when federal agents violated their rights. The truth is that the violent 2018 raid tore apart families, but it also galvanized a community. In the words of one of our plaintiffs, Martha, “Justice prevailed over injustice. I am thankful to the legal team and the class members, who stuck together throughout this time. We will always remember that we are one.”
We are honored to be able to celebrate this moment of justice with you.
Thank you,
Michelle Lapointe
Deputy Director, Legal
National Immigration Law Center
Friend,
Last week, a federal court granted preliminary approval of a class settlement in our lawsuit on behalf of immigrant workers challenging what was at the time the largest workplace raid in a decade.
Four years ago, DHS and IRS agents illegally targeted and detained our clients and a class of roughly 100 Latinx workers at a meat processing plant in eastern Tennessee, subjecting them to racial profiling and excessive force. Alongside our clients and partners including the Southern Poverty Law Center and Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, we have been fighting for justice ever since, and we are thrilled to share this news with you.
This precedent-setting settlement, once finalized, will provide over $1 million for workers detained and mistreated during the raid. Our clients bravely fought back after federal agents violated their rights and now, they are sending a powerful message to law enforcement officers: There are consequences for unlawful policing and racial profiling, no matter the immigration status or income of the person involved.
This is an important step toward achieving justice, but our work does not stop here. This case is a reminder of what we can achieve when we come together and organize, in the face of deliberate efforts to demonize and instill fear in immigrant communities.
Our immigrant justice movement is stronger with you on our side, friend. Can we count on you to contribute $10 or more to support our work on behalf of all immigrant workers?
We still have work to do to achieve justice for all — let’s keep coming together to fight for it.
In solidarity,
Lisa Graybill
Vice President, Law and Policy
National Immigration Law Center
