Largest-Ever ICE Raid at Georgia Hyundai EV Plant Sparks Diplomatic Tensions and Economic Concerns

SAVANNAH, Ga. (BuzzReport) – A massive immigration enforcement operation, described as the largest single-site action in Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) history, has led to the detention of approximately 475 individuals, predominantly South Korean nationals, at a sprawling Hyundai electric vehicle manufacturing complex near Savannah.

The surprise raid, conducted Thursday, targeted the construction site for a crucial battery plant, a joint venture between South Korea’s Hyundai and LG Energy Solution, casting a sudden shadow over a project touted as the largest economic development in Georgia’s history.

Steven Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, stated at a Friday news briefing that the operation underscored the agency’s “commitment to jobs for Georgians and Americans.” He revealed the investigation had been ongoing for months, fueled by leads from community members and former workers.

Many of those detained were identified as South Korean nationals, part of a “network of subcontractors” working for various companies on the site, according to South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lee Jaewoong. Lee described the number of detained South Koreans as “large” and expressed strong concern.

“The business activities of our investors and the rights of our nationals must not be unjustly infringed in the process of U.S. law enforcement,” Lee said in a televised statement, confirming that diplomats from the South Korean embassy in Washington and consulate in Atlanta have been dispatched to the site, with plans to form an on-site response team.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed agents executed a search warrant “as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into allegations of unlawful employment practices and other serious federal crimes.”

The 3,000-acre (1,214-hectare) site, located west of Savannah, is a cornerstone of Georgia’s economic future. Hyundai Motor Group began manufacturing EVs there a year ago at the $7.6 billion plant, which currently employs about 1,200 people. The adjacent battery plant, slated to open next year, is critical to the venture’s long-term success.

In response to the raid, HL-GA Battery Company, the Hyundai and LG battery joint venture, issued a statement confirming full cooperation with authorities and announced a pause in construction at the battery site to assist the investigation.

LG Energy Solution, the battery partner, stated it was “closely monitoring the situation and gathering all relevant details,” unable to immediately confirm how many of its employees or Hyundai workers had been detained. “Our top priority is always ensuring the safety and well-being of our employees and partners. We will fully cooperate with the relevant authorities,” the company added.

Operations at Hyundai’s EV manufacturing plant, however, were not interrupted, according to plant spokesperson Bianca Johnson.

The incident highlights a growing tension between a state’s aggressive pursuit of foreign investment and federal immigration enforcement priorities. While state officials, including Gov. Brian Kemp, have celebrated the Hyundai complex as a monumental job creator, the federal action underscores that the economic boon can be complicated by the intricacies of immigration law and enforcement. The scale of the raid and the focus on a major foreign investor raise questions about the balance between national security, labor laws, and the potential disruption to critical economic development initiatives across the U.S