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5d ago

475 Detained in Federal Raid at Hyundai’s Georgia EV Site as Battery-Plant Work Halts

Homeland Security says a search warrant followed months of investigating suspected unlawful employment by subcontractors.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Atlanta office are seen detained migrants suspected to have no legal status as part of an operation that saw 450 individuals were taken into custody
An American flag flies above a piece of heavy machinery at the site of Hyundai Motor Group's electric vehicle plant in Ellabell, Georgia, on September 5, 2025.
The Hyundai Metaplant electric vehicle manufacturing facility in Ellabell, Georgia, US, on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. The historic city of Savannah, known for gardens and gothic mystery, is leaving no stone unturned as it helps South Korean auto giant Hyundai staff up a futuristic new factory. Photographer: Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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Overview

  • Homeland Security Investigations said most of those detained are South Korean nationals, and Seoul said more than 300 of the 475 were its citizens while dispatching consular teams.
  • Those taken into custody were transferred to ICE for potential removal as the multi-agency probe continues with no broad criminal charges announced.
  • Agents targeted the construction area for the Hyundai–LG battery facility, and Hyundai said vehicle production at the EV plant continued without interruption.
  • Officials called it the largest single-site enforcement operation in HSI’s history, citing tips from community members and former workers.
  • Hyundai, LG Energy Solution and their joint venture said they are cooperating with authorities, construction remains paused, and Hyundai said none of the detainees are its direct employees.