🚨NO WHITE SUPREMACISTS INVOLVED🚨
🚨NO ISLAMIC JIHADISTS INVOLVED🚨
11Alive published April 4, 2025: Federal raid rescues over 60 trafficking victims in Gwinnett County, Homeland Security says. Two men are accused of recruiting immigrant workers, many from China and subjecting them to harsh work conditions.
WSB-TV published March 27, 2025: Former employee of raided Bartow County factory says ‘conditions were terrible’. Agents suspect a business owner there brought hundreds of people to the U.S. from other countries and forced them to work at his factory in Cartersville with low pay and harsh conditions.
Atlanta News First published April 3, 2025: Homeland Security Investigations expects more victims in Bartow Co. labor trafficking case. So far, contact has been made with at least 50 victims.
FOX 5 Atlanta published March 27, 2025: Flooring manufacturer in Georgia target of FBI raid. The FBI, GBI, Homeland Security and other agencies investigated claims that Wellmade Industries in Bartow County forced people from other countries to work at the company with low pay. FOX 5 Atlanta's Denise Dillon reports live from the scene.
11Alive.com, Atlanta, GA local
written by Jesse Nussman, 11Alive Staff
Friday April 4, 2025
GWINNETT COUNTY, Georgia — A federal investigation into labor trafficking led to a sweeping raid in Gwinnett County last week, resulting in two arrests and the rescue of more than 60 victims, most of them foreign nationals, according to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Federal agents, along with local law enforcement, executed criminal search warrants at eight locations across the region, including a Cartersville flooring manufacturing plant and seven residences where victims were allegedly being housed and transported for work.
The probe began after both county officials and HSI received reports of trafficking involving “force, fraud and/or coercion.”
“We developed sufficient probable cause after determining that a significant number of foreign nationals were working at that location,” a Homeland Security official said during a press conference on Friday. “Significant efforts were taken to get the victims out of the horrific situation and to provide services to them.”
Officials said the investigation is ongoing, with more victims coming forward in recent days. Authorities are encouraging anyone with information or who may be a victim to contact HSI via the tip line: HSI-Dalton-Tips@hsi.dhs.gov.
Despite community concerns about mass detentions or deportations, officials emphasized that no one encountered during the operation has yet been removed from the United States. HSI also noted that individuals are being assessed for potential victim status and may be eligible for humanitarian relief, including T visas for trafficking victims or U visas for other crimes. The Department of Homeland Security also said it has “continued presence” authority to allow victims to remain during an active investigation.
During the press briefing, officials addressed concerns from immigrant communities about agents wearing face coverings during operations, which they said is for officer safety and health reasons. All officers are marked and carry proper identification, officials said, and impersonation of agents is taken seriously and prosecuted.
The raid is part of a broader initiative targeting employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers. Federal officials said that while they are not specifically targeting individuals without criminal records, people who are unlawfully present and have final orders of removal may still be taken into custody. The crackdown has also focused on uncovering labor exploitation and trafficking in industries ranging from warehouses to construction and agriculture.
HSI officials also confirmed that immigration enforcement will remain a priority. “Immigration enforcement is not going away,” one agent said. “We are continuing to identify new efficiencies and work together to enforce the law.”
About the victims
Over 60 trafficking victims were identified at the warehouse site alone. Officials said more have since come forward. While no amnesty is being offered, victims may be eligible for humanitarian relief and protection from removal as the investigation continues.
About the suspects
Two individuals, believed to be the leaders of the trafficking operation, were arrested on state charges. Officials said more arrests could follow.
The suspects, identified as Chen Zhu and Jiayi Jia Chen, are accused of knowingly subjecting, transporting and harboring victims for the purpose of labor servitude between 2022 and 2024. Both men are being held at the Bartow County Jail on three counts each of felony trafficking of persons for labor servitude.
Community impact
Federal and local law enforcement emphasized that they are working to protect victims and not target immigrant communities indiscriminately. They urged people to report crimes to local police, stressing that agencies like Gwinnett County Police do not have federal immigration authority.
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