Federal immigration authorities conducted a major operation at Hyundai’s electric vehicle battery plant in Bryan County, Georgia, resulting in the detention of approximately 475 workers on suspicion of immigration violations. The raid on September 4, 2025, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers rapidly halted construction at the site and drew immediate attention from both American and South Korean officials, igniting new diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Footage circulated on social media depicted workers in high-visibility vests lined up as an ICE official, identifying as Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), announced the raid and ordered all construction activities to cease immediately. State troopers assisted federal authorities by blocking access roads to the Hyundai battery plant, which is a joint venture between Hyundai and LG known as HL-GA Battery Company.
In a statement, Hyundai and its partner LG said they are cooperating fully with authorities and temporarily paused construction to facilitate the investigation. Despite the disruption at the battery facility, Hyundai’s operational electric vehicle manufacturing plant nearby remained functional, according to a spokesperson. Production and regular office work were reported to have continued uninterrupted during and after the raid.
The raid is part of a larger federal crackdown under the current administration aimed at immigration enforcement across multiple industries nationwide. Since January 2025, according to the Pew Research Center, the U.S. labor market has seen a significant drop in immigrant workers, exceeding 1.2 million departures, encompassing both undocumented immigrants and legal residents.
The incident viciously reignited concerns about immigration policy impacts on U.S. manufacturers reliant on immigrant labor and created friction with South Korea. The South Korean government expressed serious concern over the detentions of South Korean nationals at the plant. President Yoon Suk-yeol conveyed readiness to respond decisively, emphasizing the importance of bilateral dialogue and protection of South Korean citizens abroad.
This raid marks a sensitive moment as Hyundai recently expanded its presence in Georgia with aggressive investments aiming to boost the electric vehicle supply chain amid growing global demand. Analysts note that these immigration enforcement actions could complicate foreign investment sentiment not only for Hyundai but also other international corporations operating in the United States.
Former Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Ken Cuccinelli commented on the raid’s scale and complexity, highlighting the extensive investigative coordination required for operations targeting large industrial sites. The enforcement action featured key immigration checks such as document verification and status assessments, including visa overstays.
Local authorities, including the Georgia Department of Public Safety, supported the federal agents during the operation, signaling strong state-federal cooperation on immigration issues. However, advocacy groups criticized the raid, citing concerns over labor rights and the broader societal consequences of such sweeping enforcement measures.
As Hyundai and LG continue to navigate the fallout, both governments face calls to manage the diplomatic fallout and labor market repercussions. The incident underscores the ongoing complexities surrounding immigration policy enforcement amid evolving geopolitical and economic realities.