Federal immigration authorities carried out a sweeping enforcement operation earlier this week at the construction site of the Hyundai-LG battery plant in Bryan County, Georgia, detaining 475 workers and triggering diplomatic tension between the United States and South Korea.
The Tuesday morning raid, conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), marks the largest single-site immigration enforcement action in US history, according to federal officials. The plant, part of a $7.6 billion electric vehicle battery project by Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution, is one of the largest industrial investments in Georgia’s history.
Hundreds detained, site shuts down
The immigration sweep targeted workers at the construction site of the HL‑GA Battery Co. facility, a joint venture between Hyundai and LG. Authorities said most of those detained were South Korean nationals accused of working in violation of US immigration laws, including visa overstays and unauthorized employment.
While operations at Hyundai’s adjacent EV manufacturing facility continued uninterrupted, construction on the battery plant was suspended indefinitely.
Multiple agencies participated in the operation, including US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the FBI, the DEA, the IRS, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). A criminal search warrant allowed federal agents to seize immigration records and employment documents from the site.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene during the raid. Some workers reportedly hid in air ducts or jumped into a nearby pond in an attempt to avoid arrest.
Corporate and government responses
In a statement following the raid, Hyundai clarified that none of its direct employees were among those arrested, and emphasized that it expects all contractors and subcontractors to comply with applicable laws. LG Energy Solution said it is fully cooperating with investigators.
South Korea’s government responded swiftly, calling the number of detained nationals “significant” and urging the US to protect the rights of its citizens. Seoul dispatched diplomats to Georgia and entered into negotiations with Washington to secure the workers’ release.
By Saturday, a deal had been reached to repatriate more than 300 South Korean detainees via chartered flights, pending completion of administrative processing.
No criminal charges filed—yet
Despite the scale of the enforcement action, no criminal charges have been filed as of press time. The investigation remains ongoing, with federal authorities indicating more actions may follow.
The White House released a statement defending the operation, saying, “The United States will enforce immigration and labor laws, regardless of who the employer is. Foreign workers must have legal authorization to live and work in the US”
Political fallout
The raid has also ignited political debate in Georgia and beyond. Democrats criticized the timing of the raid, suggesting it was politically motivated and could chill foreign investment. Republicans defended the action, framing it as a necessary step to protect American jobs and uphold the rule of law.
The operation underscores the increasing scrutiny of labor practices at major industrial projects, especially those relying on large numbers of foreign contractors. It also comes amid the Trump administration’s renewed push for tighter immigration enforcement and stronger oversight of foreign labor.
As of Sunday, construction at the site remains halted, and the long-term impact on the Hyundai-LG battery project is unclear.
The Tuesday morning raid, conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), marks the largest single-site immigration enforcement action in US history, according to federal officials. The plant, part of a $7.6 billion electric vehicle battery project by Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution, is one of the largest industrial investments in Georgia’s history.
Hundreds detained, site shuts down
The immigration sweep targeted workers at the construction site of the HL‑GA Battery Co. facility, a joint venture between Hyundai and LG. Authorities said most of those detained were South Korean nationals accused of working in violation of US immigration laws, including visa overstays and unauthorized employment.
While operations at Hyundai’s adjacent EV manufacturing facility continued uninterrupted, construction on the battery plant was suspended indefinitely.
Multiple agencies participated in the operation, including US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the FBI, the DEA, the IRS, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). A criminal search warrant allowed federal agents to seize immigration records and employment documents from the site.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene during the raid. Some workers reportedly hid in air ducts or jumped into a nearby pond in an attempt to avoid arrest.
Corporate and government responses
In a statement following the raid, Hyundai clarified that none of its direct employees were among those arrested, and emphasized that it expects all contractors and subcontractors to comply with applicable laws. LG Energy Solution said it is fully cooperating with investigators.
South Korea’s government responded swiftly, calling the number of detained nationals “significant” and urging the US to protect the rights of its citizens. Seoul dispatched diplomats to Georgia and entered into negotiations with Washington to secure the workers’ release.
By Saturday, a deal had been reached to repatriate more than 300 South Korean detainees via chartered flights, pending completion of administrative processing.
No criminal charges filed—yet
Despite the scale of the enforcement action, no criminal charges have been filed as of press time. The investigation remains ongoing, with federal authorities indicating more actions may follow.
The White House released a statement defending the operation, saying, “The United States will enforce immigration and labor laws, regardless of who the employer is. Foreign workers must have legal authorization to live and work in the US”
Political fallout
The raid has also ignited political debate in Georgia and beyond. Democrats criticized the timing of the raid, suggesting it was politically motivated and could chill foreign investment. Republicans defended the action, framing it as a necessary step to protect American jobs and uphold the rule of law.
The operation underscores the increasing scrutiny of labor practices at major industrial projects, especially those relying on large numbers of foreign contractors. It also comes amid the Trump administration’s renewed push for tighter immigration enforcement and stronger oversight of foreign labor.
As of Sunday, construction at the site remains halted, and the long-term impact on the Hyundai-LG battery project is unclear.
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