Homeland Security Detains 475 Workers in Georgia Immigration Raid at Hyundai-Linked EV Battery Plant
Published Time: 09-06-2025, 14:30 U.S.
U.S. immigration authorities have detained 475 workers, most of them South Korean nationals, during a large-scale raid on a Hyundai-related manufacturing site in Ellabell, Georgia. Officials say the operation is the largest of its kind in the past two decades and stems from an ongoing investigation into unlawful hiring practices at the electric vehicle and battery plant. The raid has prompted diplomatic concerns from South Korea while raising economic and political debates in Georgia.
Homeland Security’s Largest Workplace Operation in Decades
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) confirmed that hundreds of agents carried out the raid Thursday at a Hyundai Motor Group facility and an adjacent battery plant under construction in Bryan County, about 25 miles west of Savannah.
Steven Schrank, HSI’s lead agent in Georgia, described the operation as the “largest single-site enforcement action” in the agency’s 20-year history. He said the investigation had been ongoing for months and focused on allegations of illegal hiring involving contractors and subcontractors.
Court filings indicate prosecutors are still working to determine which companies or subcontractors hired what they called “hundreds of unauthorized workers.” No formal charges have yet been filed.
Focus on Hyundai’s $7.6 Billion EV Project
The raid targeted a high-profile project that has been celebrated by Georgia officials as the state’s largest economic development investment. Hyundai’s electric vehicle manufacturing plant, valued at $7.6 billion, employs roughly 1,200 workers.
Adjacent to the main facility, Hyundai has partnered with LG Energy Solution to build a battery plant set to open next year. The companies have promoted the project as key to expanding U.S. electric vehicle production and creating thousands of jobs.
Hyundai spokesperson Bianca Johnson confirmed that vehicle production at the main plant continued without interruption. The company issued a statement emphasizing compliance with U.S. employment laws, saying:
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“Hyundai has zero tolerance for those who don’t follow the law. We are reviewing our practices to ensure all suppliers and subcontractors comply.”
South Korea Responds with Concern
The South Korean government expressed “concern and regret” following the detention of its nationals. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lee Jaewoong said in a televised statement from Seoul:
“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.”
Seoul has dispatched diplomats from its embassy in Washington and consulate in Atlanta to provide assistance. Officials also announced plans to form an on-site response team.
Immigration data shows Koreans are rarely targeted in U.S. enforcement actions. In the 12 months ending September 2024, only 46 South Korean nationals were deported, compared to more than 270,000 removals across all nationalities, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Legal and Immigration Complexities
Immigration attorney Charles Kuck, representing two detainees, said both entered the U.S. under the visa waiver program, which permits stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business but prohibits employment. One client had been in the U.S. for two weeks, while the other had stayed about 45 days.
Schrank confirmed that among those detained were individuals who overstayed visas, entered illegally, or violated visa waiver restrictions by working. He did not specify how many of the 475 were South Korean but acknowledged they represented a majority.
Most detainees were transferred to the Folkston ICE Processing Center near the Florida border. Cases are expected to proceed through immigration courts, where some individuals may seek to fight deportation.
Political Reactions in Georgia
The operation has sparked a sharp political divide.
- Democratic Party of Georgia Chair Charlie Bailey condemned the raid, calling it “politically-motivated fear tactics designed to terrorize workers who power our economy and contribute to our communities.”
- Governor Brian Kemp and Republican leaders, who had celebrated Hyundai’s investment, emphasized that all employers in Georgia must comply with federal and state laws.
The raid also ties into broader federal immigration enforcement trends. During the Trump administration, workplace raids increased across industries including farming, construction, and food services.
Impact on Local Communities and Businesses
The Hyundai project spans more than 3,000 acres and has reshaped Bryan County’s economic landscape. While some residents credit it for bringing investment, others remain skeptical about its local benefits.
- Local shop owner Sammie Rentz, who runs a supermarket near the plant, said his business relies heavily on Korean workers. He fears the raid will hurt sales:
“Koreans keep this store running. I’m worried about them cutting and running after what happened.”
- Resident Tanya Cox, who lives near the facility, expressed mixed feelings:
“I don’t have an issue with immigrant workers, but I feel more jobs should have gone to locals. It hasn’t brought the community the opportunities we were promised.”
Next Steps for Hyundai and LG
The HL-GA Battery Co., a joint venture between Hyundai and LG Energy Solution, is scheduled to begin operations in 2026. In a statement to the Associated Press, LG said it was “closely monitoring the situation and gathering details,” while pledging full cooperation with authorities.
Search warrant filings show agents sought payroll data, immigration documents, Social Security records, and company ownership information. Four individuals were listed as “target persons,” though their identities were not disclosed.
As the investigation continues, Hyundai reiterated its commitment to compliance and economic development in Georgia. “Our investment in Savannah is meant to create long-term opportunities,” the company stated, while declining to confirm whether any of its direct employees were among those detained.
Conclusion
The Georgia raid underscores the growing tension between U.S. immigration enforcement and economic development initiatives tied to global companies. While federal authorities highlight the need for compliance, the incident has raised concerns among international partners, local communities, and political leaders.
With nearly 500 workers detained, most of them South Korean nationals, the investigation’s outcome could influence labor practices at major industrial projects and set precedents for how foreign companies operate in the U.S.
Source: AP News – Homeland security official says 475 people were detained during an immigration raid in Georgia
