One Year After the Omaha Immigration Raid: A Community Still Healing

In June 2025, federal immigration officers raided a meatpacking plant in Omaha, detaining 76 workers at the Glenn Valley Foods facility. A year later, the city continues to feel the ripple effects of that operation, according to local officials and community leaders.

The raid targeted the plant’s workforce, with 63 workers taken to a detention center 60 minutes away. Among those detained was Luis Mejía, a 19‑year‑old native of South Omaha, and his mother. Luis was quickly released after authorities verified his U.S. citizenship, but his mother remained incarcerated for weeks, forcing Luis and his brother to care for younger siblings without parental guidance.

Business owners in the mixed‑ethnic 24th Street corridor report a persistent slowdown in customer traffic. A survey of 40 local businesses—restaurants, retail stores, and construction firms—showed reduced revenue and uncertainty. Seven owners plan to pivot to online models, while six businesses have had to close because of workforce shortages.

State prosecutors note that only one employee was charged with identity fraud, and two additional workers received prison sentences for resisting arrest or assaulting officers. Still, community leader Roger Garcia, chairman of the Douglas County Board, argues that the raid did not “make our community safer.” Garcia emphasized that the event generated fear, misinformation, and long‑term economic damage without meaningful justice.

Legal aid groups, including the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement and the Heartland Workers Center, have offered counseling and representation to affected families. They describe the raid’s execution as “unlike anything we had ever seen in Nebraska,” noting that detained workers faced prolonged processing delays and were kept in isolation for over 60 hours.

Despite the passage of time, many residents still grapple with the uncertainty of immigration proceedings. Immigration enforcement officials in Nebraska do not cooperate with local police, but the state’s department of police receives weekly reports on detentions. Public officials say the impact continues; local businesses remain cautious, and families remain wary of future enforcement actions.

On June 20, 2026, a “Day of Joy” event was organized to rally support for affected businesses and families. While the city’s economic recovery lags, the community demonstrates resilience and solidarity, holding up a shared narrative of collective struggle and hope.

As Omaha looks toward the future, the lingering effects of the immigration raid highlight a broader conversation about enforcement practices, the protection of workers’ rights, and the power of community resilience against systemic hardship.