About 50 of the workers caught up in the raid remain in a legal limbo — unable to work and earn a living, but staying because of children or family in the area — as they await the completion of court proceedings.

While opinion is still split here and across the state on whether the raid was necessary, there are still some lingering questions about what the raid really accomplished. Yes, many said, the ringleader and some others who were exploiting immigrants have been rightfully convicted. But many wonder about the others, who were contributing to the town and are now gone.

“Where we used to have families of immigrants, and families who were involved in school and sent kids to school, now we have folks who are bused into our community and are living in a hotel. Tell me how our community benefited?” said Brad Corkle, a local teacher and coach.

Corkle had been one of the organizers of a pro-immigrant group called “O’Neill Cares” that has largely disbanded after providing food, shelter and support for months to immigrant families affected by the raid.