A significant immigration raid at the Hyundai Motor car battery facility under construction in Ellabell, Georgia, has led to the arrest of 475 workers, primarily South Korean nationals. This incident has halted work on one of the South Korean automaker’s largest investments in the U.S., just months before the facility was scheduled to begin operations.
The raid, dubbed “Operation Low Voltage,” took place on September 3, 2025, and involved over 400 law enforcement officers. The workers were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on suspicion of illegal entry into the U.S. or overstaying their visas. Despite the workers’ connection to Hyundai’s battery joint venture with LG Energy Solutions, a Hyundai spokesperson clarified that none of the arrested workers were directly employed by the company, though they were employed through subcontractors.
This development has raised concerns within the business and political communities, particularly regarding the implications for U.S.-South Korea relations. The raid could strain ties with South Korea, a vital U.S. ally and investor, already complicated by trade disagreements and ongoing investment negotiations. The U.S. is expected to handle the situation carefully, as South Korea’s Foreign Ministry expressed regret over the incident, calling it an unnecessary violation of economic activities and interests.
Hyundai Motor has expressed its commitment to complying with all laws, with the company’s North America manufacturing officer, Chris Susock, assuming governance over the site. The company has also launched an investigation to ensure compliance with all legal regulations among suppliers and subcontractors.
The raid has highlighted the broader issue of immigration policy under the Trump administration, which has seen a surge in enforcement actions like this. While the White House has emphasized the importance of legal immigration for foreign workers on specific projects, critics argue that such actions reflect politically motivated tactics that have caused undue fear among migrant workers.
In Georgia, the raid has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic leaders, with Georgia’s Democratic Party calling it a “politically motivated fear tactic.” The state’s Republican Governor Brian Kemp, however, defended the operation, stating that Georgia would continue to enforce both state and federal immigration laws.
As a result of the arrests, Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solutions have temporarily paused construction, impacting the $4.3 billion venture to produce EV battery cells for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis electric vehicle models. Despite this setback, Hyundai has assured that the construction halt will not affect the production of electric vehicles at the site.
The incident has not only disrupted a critical project in Georgia but also fueled ongoing debates surrounding immigration enforcement and its impact on the economy. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders from both the public and private sectors will be closely monitoring the aftermath of the raid and its long-term implications for business operations and U.S.-South Korea relations.
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