US Immigration Raid Detains Hundreds at Georgia Hyundai-LG Plant | News Glare

Lead U.S. authorities carried out a large-scale immigration raid Thursday at a Hyundai-LG electric-vehicle battery plant in Ellabell, Georgia, detaining about 475 people, including over 300 South Korean nationals, prompting Seoul to send its foreign minister to Washington to resolve the fallout.

Nut Graf The operation, the largest single-site enforcement action in Department of Homeland Security history, has stirred diplomatic tensions as South Korea negotiates the swift, voluntary return of its citizens and pushes for future visa reforms to prevent similar incidents.

Key Developments

Raid Execution:
Homeland Security Investigations, ICE and other agencies executed a judicial search warrant at the $4.3 billion plant, part of a joint venture between Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution.
Agents amassed evidence over months, labeling it a criminal investigation, before moving in to detain workers suspected of overstaying visas or working illegally.
Detentions and Nationalities:
Of the 475 individuals held, approximately 300 were South Korean nationals. Others included visa-waiver entrants and overstays from multiple countries.
Detainees are currently in ICE custody at a Folkston, Georgia, detention center pending removal proceedings.
Korean Government Response:
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun departed for Washington Monday to meet U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, seeking assurances that detained workers can re-enter the U.S. for completion of the plant’s test operations.
Seoul has arranged a charter flight for the voluntary departure of its citizens and is covering repatriation costs, an unprecedented government-funded deportation agreement.
Diplomatic and Economic Impact:
The raid comes days after President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump pledged expanded economic cooperation, including a planned $100 billion Korean energy purchase and $350 billion Korean investment commitments.
Analysts warn the incident may erode investor confidence and impede project timelines, with potential delays to the plant’s October test run and 2026 production launch.
Visa Policy Debate:
South Korea will press for expanded work visa categories, arguing that restrictive H-1B/H-2B caps force companies to rely on short-term visas unsuited for construction and specialized operations.
U.S. officials maintain the operation adhered strictly to existing immigration law, while emphasizing support for legal, skilled labor streams.

Next Steps South Korean diplomats in Washington aim to secure a formal U.S. commitment allowing detained workers to re-enter under appropriate visas and to negotiate broader visa policy adjustments. Meanwhile, construction at the Ellabell site remains paused pending resolution of workforce and diplomatic issues.