Overview
- U.S. agents arrested about 475 workers at the Ellabell, Georgia battery-plant construction site following a months-long investigation into illegal entry, visa overstays and unlawful employment.
- Officials say most of those detained are South Korean nationals, and the Department of Homeland Security described the raid as its largest single-site operation to date.
- Work at the Hyundai–LG joint battery facility was halted after the enforcement action, though Hyundai says vehicle production elsewhere was not affected.
- Hyundai said none of the detainees are its direct employees, while LG Energy Solution reported 47 of its staff were held, recalled personnel from U.S. travel and dispatched senior leaders to Georgia.
- South Korea formed a crisis team, negotiated releases and is preparing a charter repatriation flight, as the episode pressures ongoing U.S.–South Korea investment and trade discussions.