ICE Raids Georgia Hyundai Site, Detains 475 Workers/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Homeland Security detained 475 workers, mostly South Korean nationals, during an immigration raid at a Hyundai EV manufacturing and battery plant in Georgia. Officials allege widespread labor violations among subcontractors tied to the $7.6 billion project. The operation is the largest single-site enforcement action in Homeland Security Investigations history.
Georgia Immigration Raid at Hyundai Plant: Quick Looks
- 475 workers detained at Georgia Hyundai EV plant construction site.
- Most detainees reportedly South Korean nationals linked to subcontractors.
- Homeland Security says this is its largest single-site raid ever.
- ICE focused on unlawful employment and federal violations.
- South Korea dispatches diplomats; calls for fair treatment.
- Hyundai operations unaffected; battery site construction paused.
- LG and Hyundai joint venture cooperating with U.S. authorities.
- Raid follows broader federal immigration crackdown under Trump administration.
- Over 1.2 million immigrant workers lost from U.S. labor force in 2025.
Deep Look: 475 Detained in Georgia Immigration Raid at Hyundai-Linked Plant
SAVANNAH, Ga. — In one of the most sweeping immigration enforcement actions in recent U.S. history, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) detained 475 workers during a large-scale immigration raid at a Hyundai electric vehicle and battery manufacturing site in Georgia on Thursday. Federal officials say the raid marks the largest single-site operation ever conducted by HSI.
According to Special Agent in Charge Steven Schrank, most of those detained are South Korean nationals. The arrests were made at the 3,000-acre site west of Savannah, where Hyundai and partner LG Energy Solution are constructing a $7.6 billion EV and battery manufacturing complex.
“This operation underscores our commitment to jobs for Georgians and Americans,” Schrank said during a Friday news briefing. “This was in fact the largest single-site enforcement operation in the history of Homeland Security Investigations.”
Focus on Subcontractors and Labor Violations
Authorities say the workers were primarily employed through a network of subcontractors, not directly by Hyundai or LG. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the raid was part of a criminal investigation into alleged unlawful employment practices and other federal crimes.
ICE spokesperson Lindsay Williams stated that the operation targeted the battery plant construction site, which is part of a joint venture between Hyundai and LG, called HL-GA Battery Company.
“The business activities of our investors and the rights of our nationals must not be unjustly infringed in the process of U.S. law enforcement,” said Lee Jaewoong, spokesperson for South Korea’s Foreign Ministry.
South Korea Reacts Swiftly
In response, the South Korean government has taken immediate action, dispatching diplomats from both the Washington embassy and the Atlanta consulate. Officials also announced plans to form an on-site response team to support their detained citizens and monitor legal proceedings.
Lee confirmed that a “large number” of South Koreans were among those detained but declined to provide exact figures. The ministry emphasized that those arrested were subcontracted workers involved in the construction and manufacturing project.
Corporate Response: Cooperation, Construction Pause
Hyundai and LG have maintained that they are fully cooperating with authorities.
“Our top priority is always ensuring the safety and well-being of our employees and partners,” LG said in a statement to the Associated Press. “We are gathering all relevant details and will fully cooperate with the relevant authorities.”
Hyundai’s South Korean office has not yet responded to media inquiries.
The construction of the battery plant was temporarily paused to facilitate the investigation, according to HL-GA Battery Company. However, Hyundai’s electric vehicle manufacturing plant operations remain uninterrupted, confirmed company spokesperson Bianca Johnson.
Broader Context: Immigration Enforcement Under Trump
This raid reflects a broader strategy by the Trump administration, which has intensified Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations across the country, particularly targeting industrial sectors. Past raids have hit farms, construction sites, restaurants, and auto shops, all aimed at cracking down on both undocumented labor and labor law violations.
The Pew Research Center recently reported that the U.S. labor force has lost over 1.2 million immigrants—including both legal and undocumented workers—between January and July 2025. The enforcement surge is part of a mass deportation initiative that has reshaped employer compliance expectations across industries.
The Hyundai-LG Mega Project in Georgia
Touted by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp as the state’s largest-ever economic development project, Hyundai’s EV manufacturing hub was launched a year ago and currently employs about 1,200 workers. The site is part of the automaker’s broader push into the U.S. market and includes plans for a major battery facility in partnership with LG, scheduled to open in 2026.
Now, with the massive immigration raid, the future of construction and hiring practices at the site may face intense federal oversight moving forward.
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