South Koreans Swept Up in Immigration Raid at Hyundai Plant in Georgia

South Koreans Swept Up in Immigration Raid at Hyundai Plant in Georgia

Ellabell, Georgia (September 5, 2025) , In a dramatic enforcement operation, U.S. immigration authorities detained approximately 475 workers, most of whom were South Korean nationals, at a construction site for a Hyundai-LG battery facility in Georgia. The raid marks the largest single-site enforcement action in the history of the Department of Homeland Security.The GuardianThe Washington PostAP NewsFinancial Times

Operation and Scope

The raid targeted subcontractor staff, some visiting from Seoul, working on a $7.6 billion-to-$12.6 billion EV battery production campus, a joint venture between Hyundai and LG Energy Solution (LGES). The site was being constructed adjacent to Hyundai’s EV manufacturing plant in Ellabell, Georgia, which was already operational.The GuardianFinancial TimesThe Washington PostAxiosAP NewsWikipedia

This sweeping action was part of a months-long criminal investigation into alleged unlawful employment practices and visa violations. Many detained were found to have entered the U.S. illegally, overstayed visas, or held visa waivers that prohibited work.The Washington PostAP NewsReutersFinancial Times

Economic Disruption

Construction at the battery plant has been paused, though production at the nearby Hyundai EV facility remains unaffected, for now.Financial TimesAxiosThe Washington PostAP NewsThe GuardianWikipedia LGES shares dropped by about 2.3% following the raid.ReutersThe Daily Beast

This raid underscores a growing tension between the Trump administration’s push to “build in America” and its aggressive immigration enforcement, even in sectors dependent on foreign expertise.Axios+1The Washington PostReuters

Diplomatic Fallout: Seoul Voices Alarm

The South Korean government issued a strong statement, expressing concern over the treatment of its nationals and urging that business interests and legal rights not be unduly infringed by U.S. law enforcement.The GuardianAl JazeeraABC NewsAP NewsReutersEl País Seoul has dispatched diplomats from both Washington and Atlanta to support detained citizens.ABC NewsAl JazeeraAP News

Political Reactions

Opinions diverged sharply across the U.S. political spectrum. Republican officials praised the operation as necessary enforcement to protect American jobs, while Democrats and immigrant rights groups denounced it as harsh and potentially damaging to U.S. competitiveness and community trust.AP NewsAxios+1The Washington PostThe GuardianReuters

Broader Implications

• Investment Climate: The raid may deter other foreign investors, particularly those in technology and manufacturing, from bringing operations to the U.S., a contradiction in the administration’s economic strategy.Axios+1The Washington Post

• Human Certainty: The detained individuals were placed in ICE custody at a center in Folkston, Georgia. Many face lengthy legal processes to contest their status.AP NewsReutersThe Washington Post

• Industry Fallout: Already looming is the risk of slowed construction timelines, logistical delays, and strained relations with foreign workforce sources.

The Georgia raid illustrates a clash between ambitious economic development and strict immigration enforcement. The collapse of such a high-profile project raises urgent questions: can the U.S. balance foreign investment incentives with rigorous legal oversight? And what are the consequences for international alliances and workforce mobility?