Quick Read
- 475 workers were detained in a historic ICE raid at Hyundai’s Georgia plant.
- The operation is the largest single-site enforcement action in U.S. Homeland Security history.
- South Korea expressed concerns about the treatment of its nationals during the raid.
- The raid disrupted Hyundai’s $12.6 billion investment plans in Georgia, including a major EV battery project.
- The incident strains U.S.-South Korea relations amid significant economic collaborations.
The United States witnessed a historic immigration enforcement action on Thursday, September 4, 2025, as federal agents raided the HL-GA battery plant in Ellabell, Georgia, a joint venture between Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solutions. The operation led to the detention of 475 workers, marking the largest single-site enforcement operation in the history of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The raid has not only halted a critical project in the electric vehicle (EV) industry but also strained diplomatic ties between the U.S. and South Korea.
The Largest Single-Site Raid in U.S. History
Federal agents, supported by multiple agencies such as the FBI, DEA, and Georgia State Patrol, entered the 3,000-acre Hyundai site under a criminal search warrant. According to Special Agent Steven Schrank, the raid was the culmination of a multi-month investigation into alleged unlawful employment practices at the facility. Schrank revealed that most of the detained individuals were South Korean nationals working unlawfully in the U.S., either due to illegal entry or visa violations. The detainees are currently being held at ICE’s Folkston, Georgia, detention facility.
The operation also disrupted the construction of a major battery factory adjacent to Hyundai’s electric vehicle production plant. The halted project is part of Hyundai’s $12.6 billion investment in Georgia, which includes the automaker’s just-opened car manufacturing facility. Governor Brian Kemp had previously touted the site as the largest economic development project in the state’s history, with plans to employ over 1,200 people.
South Korea Responds with Concern
The South Korean government swiftly expressed concern over the raid, labeling it an “unjust infringement” on the rights of its citizens. The country’s foreign ministry dispatched diplomats to the site and contacted the U.S. Embassy in Seoul to urge caution in protecting Korean nationals’ rights. In a statement, the ministry emphasized, “The economic activities of Korean investment companies and the rights and interests of Korean citizens must not be unfairly infringed upon during U.S. law enforcement operations.”
Hyundai Motor Company distanced itself from the detained workers, stating that none of them were directly employed by the automaker. A spokesperson for LG Energy Solutions, Hyundai’s partner in the battery plant, confirmed that construction work had been temporarily paused and that the company was cooperating with authorities. Shares of LGES dropped by 2.3% following the raid.
Broader Implications for U.S.-South Korea Relations
The incident comes at a delicate time for U.S.-South Korea relations. Just a month prior, South Korea pledged $150 billion in U.S. investments, including $26 billion from Hyundai Motor, during a summit between the nations’ leaders. The massive raid has the potential to create friction in these economic ties, as South Korean officials voice concerns over the treatment of their citizens and businesses.
President Donald Trump’s administration has ramped up immigration enforcement efforts, with a focus on cracking down on unlawful employment practices. While the White House has encouraged foreign investments to bolster the U.S. economy, the raid underscores the administration’s dual approach of promoting business investments while strictly enforcing immigration laws. Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson commented, “The United States is proud to be a home for major investments… Any foreign workers brought in for specific projects must enter the United States legally and with proper work authorizations.”
Economic and Social Impact
The raid’s impact extends beyond the immediate disruption to Hyundai’s operations. The halted construction of the battery plant could delay Hyundai’s plans to produce EV battery cells for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis models by the end of the year. The project is a critical component of Hyundai’s broader strategy to compete in the growing EV market.
Social media footage of the operation has also sparked debates over the treatment of immigrant workers and the ethics of such large-scale enforcement actions. Advocates argue that raids like these disproportionately target vulnerable individuals while failing to address systemic issues in labor practices.
The unprecedented scale of the raid and its international repercussions highlight the complexities of balancing economic development, immigration enforcement, and diplomatic relations in a globalized economy.
As investigations continue, the raid at Hyundai’s Georgia plant serves as a stark reminder of the challenges inherent in aligning economic ambitions with lawful practices, all while navigating the intricacies of international diplomacy.