Largest Immigration Raid in Homeland Security’s History
Federal immigration agents stormed a Hyundai Motor–LG Energy Solution joint venture construction site in Ellabell, Georgia, detaining 475 workers in what officials described as the largest single-site enforcement action ever conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Most of those apprehended were South Korean nationals suspected of working illegally in the United States.
The raid unfolded amid escalating U.S.–South Korea trade tensions, particularly over Washington’s tariff policies and investment disputes. The $5.5 billion plant, designed to produce batteries for electric vehicles, has been described as the biggest economic development project in Georgia’s history.
“I would say that they were illegal aliens and ICE was just doing its job. But I know nothing about it so.” – Trump on Hyundai Georgia Plant Raid
Good to know the President has no idea what is going on.
— Spencer Hakimian (@SpencerHakimian) September 5, 2025
“Like a War Zone” at Construction Site
Eyewitness accounts compared the federal operation to a “war zone,” with caravans of law enforcement vehicles entering the site. Agents ordered workers in hard hats and safety vests to line up, cease construction, and undergo identity checks. Some detainees were shackled around their hands, ankles, and waists, while others were bound with plastic wrist ties before boarding transfer buses.
Video footage released by HSI showed agents declaring the entire site subject to a search warrant. Workers who could provide proof of legal status were cleared and issued departure slips, allowing them to leave the premises.
Workers Attempted to Flee, Some Hid in Air Ducts
As news of the raid spread, some employees attempted to evade detention. One group reportedly hid inside an air duct, while others fled into a sewage pond on the property. Federal agents deployed boats to retrieve those who entered the water.
According to prosecutors, one individual tried to overturn a federal vessel but failed. All were eventually captured and identified as unauthorized workers.
Investigation into Unlawful Employment Practices
HSI Atlanta special agent Steven Schrank emphasized that the operation was not a random immigration sweep but the result of a months-long criminal investigation into unlawful employment practices and visa violations. He noted that those detained included people who crossed the U.S. border illegally, overstayed visas, or worked on permits that did not authorize employment.
“The operation underscores our commitment to protecting jobs for Georgians and Americans, ensuring fairness for compliant businesses, and safeguarding workers from exploitation,” Schrank said.
South Korean Government Voices Concern
The South Korean foreign ministry expressed “deep concern and regret” over the scale of the raid, stressing that the rights of Korean nationals and investors must not be unjustly infringed. The ministry lodged a formal protest with the U.S. Embassy in Seoul.
South Korea is Asia’s fourth-largest economy and a leading automaker with billions invested in U.S. factories. Hyundai and LG have pledged significant funds to expand their American footprint and reduce exposure to tariff risks under U.S. trade policies.
Companies Distance Themselves from Detainees
Hyundai Motor Company stated it was closely monitoring the situation and confirmed that none of those detained were directly employed by the automaker. The firm said many workers at the Georgia site were hired through subcontractors.
LG Energy Solution issued a similar statement, saying it was gathering information and would cooperate fully with authorities.
Legal Defense and Community Reaction
Some detainees’ lawyers claimed their clients entered the U.S. legally through the visa waiver program, which allows short-term stays for business or tourism but prohibits unauthorized employment. Attorney Charles Kuck said two of his South Korean clients had only been in the U.S. for weeks and were preparing to return home.
In Savannah and surrounding areas, members of Georgia’s Korean community expressed shock. James Woo, communications director for Asian Americans Advancing Justice in Atlanta, said residents were scrambling to locate detained family members and legal resources. “People don’t know where to turn for help,” Woo told reporters, noting the relative lack of support infrastructure compared to Atlanta.
Broader Implications for U.S.–South Korea Relations
The unprecedented raid highlights the growing friction between Washington and Seoul over trade and labor issues, even as the two countries maintain a close strategic alliance. For Georgia, the arrests cast uncertainty over the state’s flagship economic development project.
With construction temporarily halted, both Hyundai and LG face scrutiny over labor compliance while trying to reassure U.S. officials of their commitment to lawful operations. The episode underscores the collision between America’s hardline immigration enforcement and its drive to attract foreign investment in critical industries like electric vehicles.
