US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents raided a Hyundai and Kia battery plant site in Georgia on Friday. The raid stopped construction immediately.

ICE detained 475 workers, making it the largest single-site enforcement action in the history of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Focus on Criminal Activities

Steven Schrank, a Homeland Security Investigations agent, said the raid was part of a criminal investigation, not a standard immigration sweep.

“This was not an immigration operation where agents went into the premises, rounded up folks and put them on buses,” Schrank explained.
He added, “This has been a multi-month criminal investigation into unlawful employment practices and serious federal crimes.”

The factory, a joint venture between Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution (LGES), was supposed to open by the end of this year.

Most Detainees Are South Korean

Reports said 560 workers were detained. Of these, 300 were South Korean nationals, according to The Korea Economic Daily.

Hyundai runs plants worldwide, including in the United States. The raid has now created diplomatic tension between Washington and Seoul.

South Korea Reacts

The South Korean government expressed “concern and regret” over the raid. It urged the US to respect the rights of its citizens.

“Our investors’ economic activities and our nationals’ rights must not be unjustly infringed in the course of US law enforcement,” said Lee Jae-woong, a foreign ministry spokesperson.

Trump Defends ICE Operation

US President Donald Trump defended the raid.“I would say that they were illegal aliens, and ICE was just doing its job,” he said at the White House.

Workers Broke Immigration Rules

Schrank said many workers crossed the border illegally. Others entered with non-work visas. Some overstayed their work permits.

“This operation shows our commitment to protecting jobs for Georgians and Americans,” Schrank stated. “It creates a level playing field for businesses and protects workers from exploitation,” he added.