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2d ago

U.S. Raids Hyundai–LG Battery Site in Georgia, Detains About 450 as Construction Halts

HSI says the judicially authorized operation probes unlawful employment practices at the adjacent construction site.

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A Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Response Team armored vehicle and a detention bus sit parked outside the HL-GA Battery Company on the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America megasite in Ellabell, Georgia on the morning of Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025 as HSI and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enformcement Officers serve a criminal warrant at the battery plant.
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
The detentions were made as part of a major raid by US law enforcement and immigration authorities.

Overview

  • ATF said on X that about 450 people were apprehended during the multiagency action involving ICE, HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, CBP, U.S. Marshals and Georgia State Patrol.
  • HSI’s Steven Schrank confirmed many arrests of undocumented individuals and said there were no injuries or uses of force during the operation.
  • HL-GA Battery Company paused construction to assist investigators, while Hyundai said EV production at its nearby Metaplant continued without interruption.
  • More than 30 South Korean nationals were among those detained, and the South Korean consulate in Atlanta is organizing legal support and plans to visit detainees.
  • Officials said more details would be provided at a Friday briefing in Savannah, and the companies involved stated they are cooperating with authorities.