ICE Detains Hundreds Of South Koreans In Georgia Raid On Hyundai-Linked EV Plant

Last Updated:September 06, 2025, 01:56 IST

At a press conference held Friday, an ICE official stated that most of the individuals taken into custody were Korean nationals, although he did not provide an exact figure.

Hyundai and its joint venture partner released statements confirming they are cooperating with federal authorities (Image: Reuters)

An unexpected immigration raid at a Hyundai-affiliated manufacturing site in Georgia on Thursday has led to the arrest of more than 475 individuals, Reuters reported. The majority of those detained were South Korean nationals employed at the facility, according to US immigration authorities.

The plant, located on a sprawling 3,000-acre campus, has been operational for a year and was constructed as part of Hyundai’s electric vehicle expansion in the US. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed to the BBC that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents executed a search warrant following allegations of “unlawful employment practices and other serious federal crimes.”

At a press conference held Friday, an ICE official stated that most of the individuals taken into custody were Korean nationals, although he did not provide an exact figure. The detainees are currently being held at a detention center in Folkston, Georgia, while ICE determines the next steps for processing and potential relocation.

Steven Schrank, a special agent in charge of Homeland Security investigations in Georgia, told reporters that those arrested were either residing in the US illegally or working unlawfully. He noted that many of the workers were likely employed through subcontractors and that investigators were still reviewing employment records to clarify individual circumstances.

The mass arrest has drawn criticism from South Korea, with the country’s foreign ministry issuing a statement raising concerns about potential overreach. “The economic activities of Korean investment companies and the rights and interests of Korean citizens must not be unfairly infringed upon during US law enforcement operations,” the ministry stated, describing the incident as a possible “unjust infringement.”

Hyundai and its joint venture partner, HL-GA Battery Company, both released statements confirming they are cooperating with federal authorities. A spokeswoman for the companies said that, due to the ongoing investigation, construction on the battery plant has been paused. Battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution added that employees of both firms were among those detained. Hyundai, however, claimed that, to its knowledge, none of those arrested were directly employed by Hyundai.

The large-scale raid highlights a potential conflict between two central priorities of President Donald Trump’s administration: encouraging domestic manufacturing and enforcing strict immigration controls. It may also place diplomatic strain on US relations with South Korea, a key strategic and economic partner.

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