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In a historic operation, federal agents detained 475 individuals during an immigration raid at Hyundai's electric vehicle manufacturing site in Georgia. The raid, conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), marks the largest single-site enforcement operation in the agency's history. The majority of those detained were from South Korea, working as part of a network of subcontractors at the site.
Steven Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of HSI, emphasized the operation's focus on securing jobs for Georgians and Americans. The investigation, which spanned several months, relied on tips from community members and former workers. The raid targeted the construction site for a battery plant, part of a $7.6 billion project by Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution. While operations at the main electric vehicle plant continued uninterrupted, construction of the battery plant was paused to assist authorities.
South Korea's Foreign Ministry expressed concern over the large number of detained South Koreans and is actively addressing the situation. They have dispatched diplomats to the site and are forming a response team. The ministry stressed the importance of protecting the rights of their nationals during U.S. law enforcement actions.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that the raid was part of an ongoing investigation into unlawful employment practices and other federal crimes. Hyundai and LG's joint venture, HL-GA Battery Company, is cooperating with authorities.