US Immigration Agents Detain Hundreds at Hyundai Battery Plant in Georgia
SEOUL/WASHINGTON, Sept 5 – In one of the largest immigration enforcement operations in decades, United States authorities detained 475 workers at a Hyundai Motor car battery plant construction site in Ellabell, Georgia, on September 4. The majority of those taken into custody were South Korean nationals, according to officials familiar with the investigation.
The unprecedented raid, led by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with support from local law enforcement, temporarily halted the $4.3 billion facility’s construction. The plant was announced in 2023 through a joint venture between Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solutions, symbolizing a pillar of U.S.-South Korea economic cooperation in the fast-growing electric vehicle (EV) battery industry.
Details of the Immigration Raid
The operation involved more than 400 immigration and customs officers who moved in at dawn to detain workers suspected of residing in the country without valid work authorization. Officials later confirmed that many had overstayed temporary visas or entered the U.S. illegally.
The detainees, who are now being housed at a federal detention center in Folkston, Georgia, will undergo immigration hearings in the coming weeks. Authorities indicated that a number of them could face deportation while others may qualify for legal proceedings that determine their ability to remain in the country.
DHS described the raid as the largest single-site immigration enforcement action in its history, underscoring a stepped-up approach to what officials called unlawful labor practices in major U.S. industries.
Hyundai and LG Energy Solutions Respond
Hyundai Motor, which has made several high-profile investments in Georgia in recent years, emphasized that none of the detained individuals were directly employed by the company. Instead, they were hired through subcontractors and staffing agencies, often used on large-scale industrial projects.
The company reiterated its “zero-tolerance policy” toward labor law violations, noting that it expects suppliers and contractors to comply with U.S. and international employment standards. Hyundai added that its Chief Manufacturing Officer for North America will personally oversee ongoing operations at the site to ensure compliance moving forward.
LG Energy Solutions, Hyundai’s joint venture partner in the project, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, confirming cooperation with U.S. authorities and announcing the temporary suspension of construction activities. The company declined to provide details about how many of its subcontracted workers were affected but stressed that it remained committed to the project.
Reaction from South Korea’s Government
The incident drew swift concern from Seoul, where South Korea’s foreign ministry conveyed regrets to the U.S. Embassy. Officials said they were closely monitoring the legal treatment of Korean nationals detained in Georgia.
“The economic activities of companies investing in the United States, along with the legitimate rights of our citizens, must not be unduly disrupted,” the ministry said in a public statement. The ministry pledged to dispatch consular staff to Georgia to provide legal assistance and monitor conditions for the detainees.
In South Korea, the news rippled through financial markets, with Hyundai’s shares dipping slightly amid concerns about reputational risks and potential delays in the U.S. expansion strategy.
Historical Context of Immigration Raids
Large-scale workplace raids in the United States were once more common but have declined in frequency over the last two decades. The last comparably large action occurred in 2008 in Postville, Iowa, when federal agents detained nearly 400 workers at a meatpacking plant, sparking widespread controversy over treatment of immigrant laborers.
Since then, enforcement strategies have shifted toward penalizing employers and investigating supply chains rather than conducting high-profile raids. The action in Georgia marks a return to broader, visible enforcement that has drawn both praise from those demanding stricter immigration policy and criticism from businesses that rely on foreign labor for rapid construction of infrastructure projects.
Economic Stakes for Georgia
Hyundai’s battery manufacturing facility is part of a broader $12.6 billion investment in the state of Georgia, which includes a major automotive assembly plant near Savannah. The new facilities represent the largest single economic development project in the state’s history and are expected to create thousands of jobs in the EV sector.
The temporary suspension of construction following the raid raises concerns about potential delays in project timelines. Originally slated to begin operations by 2025, the battery plant was intended to supply key EV models with domestically produced batteries—an industry made increasingly competitive by incentives in the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act.
Regional officials voiced unease about the disruption. Georgia’s economic agencies, which have courted foreign automakers for decades, acknowledged the delicate balance between enforcing immigration laws and safeguarding international partnerships that drive local growth.
Broader U.S. Policy Context
The White House underscored that all foreign workers must enter and reside in the United States legally, adding that immigration law applies regardless of nationality. While declining to comment on the specifics of the case, an administration spokesperson said the action was consistent with broader enforcement initiatives aimed at preventing exploitation of unauthorized labor in high-demand industries.
The operation also aligns with trends across the country, where federal agencies have been taking a more aggressive stance toward employer compliance in industries ranging from agriculture to construction. Analysts note that the EV battery sector, which is experiencing rapid expansion fueled by government incentives for green technology, has attracted scrutiny as companies rush to meet production deadlines.
Political Debate and Public Reaction
The raid sparked immediate debate within Georgia. Members of the state’s Democratic Party criticized the federal action as disruptive to one of the state’s most significant job-creating projects, arguing that it risks damaging relationships with foreign investors. They accused federal authorities of staging a high-profile enforcement action that could undermine economic confidence.
Business groups in the region also voiced concern, noting that thousands of domestic supply chain jobs depend on Hyundai’s ongoing investments. Local contractors expressed uncertainty about workforce availability in the short term, especially as specialized construction labor is increasingly scarce.
At the same time, some immigration policy advocates praised the action as a long-overdue enforcement step. They stressed that companies—whether directly or through subcontractors—should bear full responsibility for verifying legal employment status.
Regional Comparisons in the EV Industry
Across the southern United States, automakers have invested billions in battery and electric vehicle production facilities, seeking proximity to ports, lower labor costs, and generous state incentives. Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama in particular have emerged as hubs for such investments.
Yet the Georgia raid highlights vulnerabilities that may affect other states hosting similar projects. Analysts warn that reliance on foreign labor for rapid construction schedules could expose companies to compliance risks. In comparison, states such as Tennessee and Kentucky have taken a more proactive approach to monitoring subcontractor labor sources, potentially insulating them from the kinds of sweeping enforcement seen in Georgia.
What Comes Next
As legal proceedings begin for the detained workers, attention now shifts to how Hyundai and LG Energy Solutions will navigate challenges to their timelines and reputations in the United States. Industry analysts note that while short-term disruption is likely, the long-term strategic importance of EV battery production in Georgia makes it unlikely that the project will be permanently derailed.
Both U.S. and South Korean officials are expected to engage in diplomatic discussions to ensure the continuation of foreign direct investment while respecting U.S. labor and immigration law. Meanwhile, construction on the Hyundai-LG battery facility remains suspended pending reassessment of its labor supply chain.
For local communities around Ellabell, the pause has injected uncertainty into what had been considered one of the region’s most transformative economic initiatives. The future of the massive project now depends on the delicate balance between completing construction on schedule, navigating international diplomatic sensitivities, and adhering strictly to U.S. immigration laws.