U.S. Immigration Raid at Hyundai-LG Factory in Georgia Sparks International Concern
In a large-scale operation, U.S. federal agents carried out a major immigration raid at a Hyundai-LG factory under construction in Georgia, arresting hundreds of workers, most of whom were South Korean. The operation, considered one of the largest of its kind at a U.S. manufacturing site in recent years, has stirred international concern, particularly from South Korea.
Background and Context
The Hyundai-LG Energy Solution battery plant, located in Ellabell, about 20 miles outside Savannah, is a $4.3 billion to $7.6 billion joint venture. It is slated to supply batteries to Hyundai’s nearby Savannah EV plant and stands as the largest single industrial investment in Georgia’s history12. The facility had been previously touted by former President Joe Biden as a significant victory for American manufacturing jobs2.
The Raid and Its Aftermath
In an operation involving several agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations, approximately 450 to 475 individuals were detained132. Most of the arrested individuals were South Koreans, and the operation has been described as the largest single site raid carried out as part of President Donald Trump's nationwide anti-migrant drive4.
However, the car company claimed that none of the detainees were directly employed
by them2. There were also reports of some workers on visitor visas being wrongly caught up in the raid5.
International Reactions
The raid has drawn significant international attention and has strained relations between the U.S. and South Korea3. South Korea expressed concern and regret
over the incident, calling it an unjust infringement of people's rights6789101112. The South Korean Foreign Ministry described the number of detained South Koreans as large
, although an exact figure was not provided12.
Seoul demanded protection for its nationals and investors, emphasizing the need for their rights to be respected11. The incident has brought renewed scrutiny regarding construction sites of large projects as the Trump administration continues to investigate illegal worksite practices2.
Current Status
The situation remains fluid, with diplomatic concerns being raised in Seoul and an ongoing investigation into the incident13. As it stands, the raid marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts and underscores the challenges facing large-scale industrial projects in the U.S.