U.S. Immigration Raid at Hyundai Plant in Georgia Detains 475 Workers, Prompting Diplomatic Tensions

On September 4, 2025, U.S. immigration authorities conducted a significant enforcement operation at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Ellabell, Georgia, detaining 475 individuals. This action, described as the largest single-site enforcement in the history of Homeland Security Investigations, primarily targeted the construction site of a battery factory jointly developed by Hyundai and LG Energy Solution.

Among those detained, over 300 were South Korean nationals. The South Korean government expressed strong concern, emphasizing that the economic activities and rights of its nationals should not be unjustly infringed upon. President Lee Jae Myung warned that such actions could deter South Korean companies from investing in the U.S., stating that firms may now be hesitant about U.S. investments.

Hyundai Motor Company clarified that none of its direct employees were among those detained and affirmed its commitment to full compliance with all laws and regulations. The company also pledged to review its processes to ensure that all parties working on its projects maintain high standards of legal compliance.

The raid has led to a delay of at least two to three months in the construction of the battery plant, as confirmed by Hyundai CEO José Muñoz. He noted that the workers involved were primarily employed by LG’s suppliers and emphasized the reliance on specialized international labor during the construction phase due to limited availability of such skills in the U.S.

This incident underscores the tension between the U.S. administration's strict immigration enforcement and its efforts to attract foreign investment. The detentions have prompted discussions on the need to reform U.S. visa policies to better accommodate skilled foreign workers essential for setting up manufacturing operations.