Archive · 6 Sep 2025
US Immigration Raid at Hyundai Plant, Detains 475 Workers
Immigration officials conducted a large raid at a Hyundai battery factory in Georgia.
They detained around 475 workers, mostly from South Korea, because they were not legally allowed to work in the US.
The factory is a joint project between Hyundai and LG Energy Solution and will produce batteries for electric vehicles.
The US government stated that some of the workers had entered the country illegally.
The South Korean government is concerned and is working to help its citizens.
The factory is under construction, and the raid has caused issues between the U.S. and South Korea.
ICE officials detained nearly 500 foreign workers at a Hyundai Motor battery plant site in Georgia.
The raid occurred at a factory under construction near Savannah, a $7.6 billion joint project between Hyundai and LG Energy Solution.
Authorities said those detained had either crossed the border illegally, overstayed their visas, or entered through a visa waiver program.
More than 300 South Korean nationals were among those detained.
The South Korean government expressed concerns and is working to secure the release of its citizens.
- Who
- ICE officials
- What
- Detained approximately 475 workers at a Hyundai/LGES battery plant
- When
- Thursday
- Where
- Hyundai Motor battery plant in Ellabell, Georgia
- Why
- Workers were barred from working in the U.S. after crossing the border illegally or overstaying visas
South Korean Government
US Government
View on the Raid
South Korean Government
South Korean officials were surprised as they had not been warned in advance and are working to secure the release of its citizens.
US Government
US officials stated that those detained had violated immigration and labor laws.
Compliance
South Korean Government
Undetermined
US Government
Authorities will take action against anyone breaking federal labor and immigration laws.
- Event
- ICE raid at Hyundai Motor battery plant
- Location
- Ellabell, Georgia
- Detained Workers
- 475
- Agency
- ICE
- Project
- Hyundai/LGES EV battery factory
- Partners
- Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution
- South Korean Nationals Detained
- 300+
Sources
South Koreans detained by US immigration authorities at Georgia plant, news reports say
US authorities detain up to 450 ‘unlawful aliens’ at Hyundai Motor’s Georgia site, ATF says
US agency say up to 450 ‘unlawful aliens’ detained at Hyundai Motor’s Georgia site
In major immigration enforcement op, nearly 450 ‘unlawful aliens’ detained from Hyundai Motor’s Georgia site
Work paused at Hyundai’s US site after hundreds of workers detained in raid
US authorities detain nearly 450 workers in Hyundai-LG battery plant site raid
US detains some 450 workers in Hyundai-LG battery plant site raid in Georgia
Hundreds of ‘unlawful aliens’ detained in US immigration raid at Hyundai site; S Korea urges extreme caution
US Detains Hundreds Of South Koreans In Factory Immigration Raid
South Korea protests 'unjust' US immigration raid at Hyundai EV manufacturing site
US immigration agents arrest hundreds in raid at Georgia Hyundai plant
475 people detained during immigration raid at Georgia Hyundai plant, says homeland security
South Korea expresses 'concern' over US immigration raid at Hyundai's Georgia plant
US immigration raid at Hyundai facility in Georgia detains more than 400 workers - Telegraph India
Hyundai Plant Immigration Raid: South Korea Slams US Over Detention Of 475 Workers; ICE Raid Sparks Diplomatic Row
ICE Detains Hundreds Of South Koreans In Georgia Raid On Hyundai-Linked EV Plant
US detains 475 in immigration raid at Georgia's Hyundai plant; South Korea voices concern
U.S. will enforce foreign worker laws, White House says after Hyundai raid
US immigration agents arrests hundreds at Hyundai plant, mostly Koreans
Over 475 workers detained as ICE carries out largest single-site operation in Hyundai factory
US immigration agents arrest hundreds at Hyundai plant, mostly Koreans
