Major Immigration Raid at Hyundai Battery Factory in Georgia
On Thursday, a significant immigration enforcement operation resulted in the arrest of around 450 undocumented immigrants at a Hyundai Electric Vehicle battery factory in Georgia. This raid was coordinated by the Atlanta Federal Alcohol Service alongside various other agencies, including customs enforcement and homeland security investigations.
The operation took place at the construction site of the Hyundai-LG Energy Solutions Battery Plant, located approximately 20 miles from Savannah. It’s considered one of the largest actions in the manufacturing sector in recent years, echoing previous large-scale enforcement actions seen during the Trump administration.
With an estimated investment between $4.3 billion and $7.6 billion, this joint venture between Hyundai and LG is set to provide batteries for a nearby EV plant, marking the largest single-industrial investment in Georgia’s history.
Following the raid, construction at the site, which spans over 3,000 acres, has been halted, although operations at the existing EV manufacturing facility continue uninterrupted.
In response, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry expressed “concerns and regrets,” dispatching officials to the site. A spokesperson for the ministry remarked that the rights of their citizens and economic activities shouldn’t be compromised during U.S. enforcement actions.
Georgia state patrols have blocked paths leading to the factory, with confirmation that the Georgia Department of Public Safety is assisting federal authorities. This operation coincides with South Korea’s recent agreement to invest $350 billion as part of a trade pact signed in July.
The battery plant is anticipated to commence operations by the year’s end, as indicated by LGES.
In videos shared on social media during the raid, workers clad in yellow safety vests were seen lining up while federal agents in tactical gear stated, “We are the Department of Homeland Security. There are search warrants all over the site.” They instructed the workers to halt construction immediately, emphasizing the urgency of the ongoing work.
