Massive Immigration Raid Hits Hyundai Battery Plant in Georgia: 475 Arrested
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| Hyundai Battery Plant in Georgia |
U.S. immigration authorities carried out one of the largest workplace enforcement operations in recent history, arresting 475 workers—most of them South Korean citizens—at a Hyundai-affiliated battery plant in Ellabell, Georgia, near Savannah. Officials described it as the largest Homeland Security raid at a single location.
The operation, announced Friday by Steven Schrank, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations for Georgia, targeted workers who were in the U.S. illegally or working unlawfully. The raid followed months of investigation at the electric vehicle battery construction site.
“This ensures a level playing field for businesses that comply with the law,” Schrank said during a press briefing.
Most arrested workers were temporarily held at the Folkston detention facility on Thursday night. Authorities are still determining employment details, as some workers were employed through subcontractors.
Hyundai, LG Energy, and Diplomatic Reactions
LG Energy Solution, co-owner of the plant with Hyundai Motor Group, confirmed that employees of both companies were detained. Hyundai clarified that, as far as the company knew, none of its direct employees were among those arrested.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and working to understand the specific circumstances,” Hyundai said.
The South Korean Foreign Ministry confirmed that South Korean citizens were among those detained but did not disclose exact numbers. Meanwhile, U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents initially detained were reportedly released.
Atlanta immigration lawyer Charles Kuck noted that some clients visiting under the visa waiver program for business meetings were caught up in the raid, despite being in full compliance with U.S. law.
“It appears ICE was somewhat overzealous in arresting nonimmigrants who were clearly obeying the law,” he said.
Political and Diplomatic Fallout
The raid has sparked diplomatic concern in South Korea, especially after a recent White House meeting between President Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, where Lee pledged $150 billion in U.S. investments, including in battery manufacturing.
This enforcement operation echoes prior workplace raids, including:
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2019 Mississippi raids: Over 600 undocumented immigrants arrested.
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2008 Postville, Iowa: 389 workers arrested at a kosher meatpacking plant, which later filed for bankruptcy.
Such operations have historically caused tension with foreign investors, potentially impacting large-scale job-creating projects like the Hyundai EV battery plant, valued at $7.6 billion and promoted as Georgia’s largest economic development project.
Impact on Battery Manufacturing and South Korean Investment
The Ellabell battery plant is part of a broader South Korean investment in U.S. manufacturing, incentivized by federal subsidies and tax breaks. Companies like LG, SK Group, and Samsung rely on skilled Korean technicians to operate complex factories.
“The U.S. invited us to invest, but they don’t provide enough visas for trained workers,” said Jongwon Lee, a Korean attorney in Atlanta.
The raid has halted construction at the plant, known as HL-GA Battery Company, and raised concerns over workforce availability amid billions in U.S. investments and tariffs on South Korean imports.
Local and Political Reactions
Georgia leaders and community members reacted strongly:
➠State Rep. Sam Park (D):
“These raids target the very people building our clean energy future while tearing families apart. Georgia’s prosperity depends on protecting workers, not criminalizing them.”
➠ South Korean Embassy and Consular Officials: Deployed to monitor and assist detained citizens, emphasizing that investor rights and worker protections must not be violated during enforcement.
LG Energy Solution confirmed ongoing coordination with the South Korean government to secure the release of affected employees.
Why This Matters
The Ellabell raid underscores tensions between U.S. immigration enforcement and foreign investment, highlighting the delicate balance between labor law compliance, diplomatic relations, and economic growth in high-tech industries like EV battery manufacturing.
With Hyundai and LG’s plant poised to create thousands of jobs, the outcome of this enforcement action could influence future international investment, visa policies, and workforce management in the United States.
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