The Donald Trump administration in the United States raided the joint factory of Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution, which symbolizes the 'American K-battery alliance.'
According to major U.S. media outlets such as ABC and NBC, federal agencies including the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raided a battery factory under construction in Georgia on the 4th (local time), arresting approximately 450 workers on suspicion of illegal residency. It has been confirmed that among those arrested were about 30 business travelers dispatched from Korea.
According to local media outlet 'Savannah Morning News,' hundreds of federal agents from ICE, the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted a large-scale enforcement operation that day, deploying helicopters. A helicopter circled over the site of Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) located in Bryan County, Georgia. NBC affiliate WSAV reported that Humvees, camouflage vehicles, and large buses were also mobilized at the scene.
The raid focused on the site of the Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution joint battery factory (HL-GA battery company) that is currently under construction. Federal authorities stated that they executed a search warrant issued by a court on charges of 'illegal employment practices and other federal crimes.' Video footage showing HSI agents shouting through loudspeakers, 'We are the Department of Homeland Security. Immediately stop all work,' spread on social media.
The ATF announced via a post on X (formerly Twitter) that approximately 450 people were arrested during the operation. Among those arrested were several Korean business travelers. Local media cited sources saying that most of them entered the country under business visas (B1) or Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for meetings or contract purposes and were working on the construction site providing technical support. Direct tasks such as technical support are activities that generally require a work visa. They are likely to face charges related to 'violating residency purposes.'
Steven Schrank, a special agent with HSI's Atlanta office, said during a briefing at the scene, 'We are arresting numerous undocumented individuals,' while noting, 'U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents are being released after verification.' He added that there were no injuries or physical altercations during the operation.
Construction at the factory was immediately halted due to the sudden raid. The HL-GA battery company issued a statement saying, 'We are fully cooperating with the authorities' investigation and have temporarily suspended construction to assist with the work.' However, the Hyundai Motor Company in the United States clarified that this raid did not affect the already operational electric vehicle production line.
This raid is one of the largest immigration enforcement operations conducted under the Trump administration's second term. During his presidency, President Trump has carried out extensive sweeps targeting industries with a high concentration of foreign workers, such as farms, restaurants, and construction sites. A notable example was the raid on a chicken processing plant in Mississippi in 2019, where 680 individuals were arrested.
However, the fact that this enforcement occurred at what is considered the largest economic development project in Georgia's history has significant implications. The project is estimated to involve a total investment of $7.6 billion (approximately 10.6 trillion won) and is expected to create 8,500 jobs.
Labor groups in Georgia immediately reacted with outrage. The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), the state's largest labor organization, issued a statement saying, 'This raid is an extension of harassment targeting immigrant workers,' and added, 'We are furious about an enforcement action stemming from political motives.'