South Koreans Are Majority of the 475 Illegal Alien Workers Arrested in ICE Raid at Hyundai Battery Plant Construction Site in Georgia
ATF Atlanta photo.
ELLABELL, GA — Federal authorities arrested 475 individuals during a major immigration enforcement operation at a Hyundai battery plant construction site in Ellabell, Georgia, on Thursday. The raid, part of a long-running investigation into illegal labor practices, uncovered hundreds of workers who were either in the U.S. illegally or had violated the terms of their immigration visas. Many of those detained were identified as South Korean nationals.
The operation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and took place at the HL-GA Battery Company, LLC, located on the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America campus. According to Steven Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Georgia, the investigation had been ongoing for months, with local media previously reporting concerns about undocumented workers, unsafe working conditions, and multiple deaths at the site.
Unsafe Conditions and Whistleblower Reports
WTOC-TV has been following the story since late 2024, highlighting alleged exploitation of undocumented workers and safety violations at the construction site. Kevin Souza, a construction worker and whistleblower, had previously spoken out about the hazardous environment undocumented workers were allegedly subjected to. Since his initial report, several deaths have occurred at the site, according to WTOC’s investigative team.
Dramatic Moments During the Raid
Federal agents executed a search warrant on September 4. Some workers reportedly tried to flee the scene, with several jumping into a sewage pond. Agents used a boat to retrieve them, including one individual who attempted to overturn the boat from beneath the water.
U.S. Attorney Margaret E. Heap described the operation as a “significant undertaking,” involving over 400 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers. She emphasized that the raid aimed to crack down on illegal employment and to protect unauthorized workers from exploitation.
“This was a major enforcement action with substantial results,” Heap said. “We are committed to holding employers accountable and ensuring that jobs go to those legally authorized to work in the U.S.”
South Korea Responds
The South Korean government expressed concern over the arrests. Lee Jae-woong, a spokesperson for South Korea’s foreign ministry, said Seoul had conveyed its “concern and regret” to the U.S. Embassy and called for protection of South Korean nationals’ rights. A task force will be established in Georgia, supported by the South Korean consulate in Atlanta, to assist affected individuals.
South Korea’s government said its citizens’ rights must not be violated in the course of Korean businesses’ work in the US, noting ‘many’ of its nationals had been detained after an immigration raid at a Hyundai Motor facility in Georgia https://t.co/vO1jyRWPWN pic.twitter.com/nsilxUlyi2
— Reuters (@Reuters) September 5, 2025
White House and DOJ Statements
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson reaffirmed the administration’s dual commitment to enforcing immigration laws and fostering international business investment.
“President Trump remains committed to making the U.S. the best place in the world to do business, while also enforcing federal immigration laws,” Jackson said.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed the arrests were part of Operation Take Back America, a broader initiative focused on eliminating illegal immigration, dismantling transnational criminal organizations, and protecting American jobs. Multiple federal agencies participated in the raid, including ICE, FBI, ATF, DEA, IRS, Department of Labor, and Georgia State Patrol.
Hyundai and LG Respond
The HL-GA Battery Company is a joint venture between Hyundai and LG Energy Solution. In a statement to the Associated Press, LG said it is “closely monitoring the situation and gathering all relevant details,” while Hyundai said none of the individuals detained were directly employed by the company.
“We are working to understand the specific circumstances of the raid,” Hyundai said. “As of today, it is our understanding that none of those detained is directly employed by Hyundai Motor Company. We prioritize the safety and well-being of everyone working at the site and comply with all laws and regulations wherever we operate.”
Hyundai’s electric vehicle manufacturing operations were not interrupted by the enforcement action, according to a company spokesperson.
Background: Georgia’s Investment in Hyundai Plant
The raid comes two years after Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced a multi-billion-dollar investment from Hyundai to build the electric vehicle facility in Bryan County. The project was touted as a major job creator for the region, supported by generous state and local incentives.
However, questions are now being raised about whether those incentives may have inadvertently supported the hiring of unauthorized labor. Critics have called for increased oversight of contractors and subcontractors working on large-scale development projects involving public incentives.
Ongoing Investigation
Federal officials say the investigation is ongoing. All individuals arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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