Hundreds of Workers Detained in Immigration Raid at Hyundai’s Billion-Dollar Georgia Facility
About 450 people at Hyundai Motor Co.’s $7.6 billion Georgia facility were detained following an investigation into employment practices, causing a halt in construction of a nearby factory that will make batteries for electric vehicles.
The apprehension of the workers, which the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said in a Thursday post on X were unlawfully employed, was part of a major operation that also included Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Today, @ATFAtlanta joined HSI, FBI, DEA, ICE, GSP and other agencies in a major immigration enforcement operation at the Hyundai mega site battery plant in Bryan County, GA, leading to the apprehension of ~450 unlawful aliens, emphasizing our commitment to community safety. #ATF pic.twitter.com/su6raLrLu6
— ATF Atlanta (@ATFAtlanta) September 4, 2025
The raid focused on the battery plant construction site and agencies are investigating allegations of unlawful employment practices and other serious federal crimes, the Associated Press reported, citing ICE spokesman Lindsay Williams and the Department of Homeland Security. The agencies didn’t immediately respond to emailed requests for comments sent by Bloomberg News outside working hours.
LG Energy Solution Ltd., a partner in the battery plant, said in a statement that it was assessing the situation and working with the Korean government and other authorities to ensure the safety and swift release of its employees and partners.
Hyundai said in a statement that it’s aware of the incident at the HL-GA Battery Co. joint venture and is looking into it.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and working to understand the specific circumstances. As of today, it is our understanding that none of those detained is directly employed by Hyundai Motor Company,” it said.
The operation adds to a string of high-profile workplace raids across the U.S. by immigration agents, carrying out President Donald Trump’s pledge to undertake the largest deportation operation in history. More than 40 people were detained at a food manufacturing plant in New York state on Thursday, according to Governor Kathy Hochul.
Unauthorized immigrants make up an estimated 5% of the American workforce and the widening crackdown threatens to wipe out hundreds of billions of dollars in economic output.
South Korea is emerging as a major investor in the US as part of the nations’ recent trade deal. The agreement includes a $350 billion fund to help Korean companies enter the U.S. market, with $150 billion dedicated to the shipbuilding industry. Private companies are also set to directly invest another $150 billion in the US.
South Korea expressed regret that U.S. authorities raided a construction site for a Korean battery plant in Georgia and detained multiple South Korean nationals, without mentioning company names.
The foreign ministry said in a statement the economic activities of Korean investors, along with the rights and interests of its citizens, should not be “unjustly infringed” during U.S. law enforcement actions. Officials dispatched consular staff to the site to respond to the situation.
Hyundai began manufacturing EVs at the Georgia plant a year ago and the facility employs about 1,200 people. Operations at the EV manufacturing plant weren’t interrupted, plant spokesperson Bianca Johnson told the AP. The South Korean automaker has another major plant in Alabama, where it makes Tucson crossovers and Santa Fe SUVs.
The raid comes as Hyundai Chairman Euisun Chung is scheduled to speak next week at an auto industry conference in Detroit.
Top photo: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detain a suspect during a multi-agency targeted enforcement operation. Photographer: Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg.