DHS Conducts Largest-Ever Immigration Raid at Georgia Hyundai Plant Arresting 475

Federal authorities conducted the largest single-site immigration enforcement operation at a Hyundai and LG Energy Solution battery plant under construction near Savannah, Georgia, detaining 475 undocumented workers, mainly South Korean nationals. The raid, led by Homeland Security Investigations, targeted suspected unlawful employment practices, with most arrested working for subcontractors rather than directly for Hyundai or LG. This action highlights the Trump administration's dual agenda of promoting U.S. manufacturing while cracking down on illegal immigration, a balancing act complicated by the construction industry's heavy reliance on immigrant labor. The facility, part of a multibillion-dollar investment and previously praised by President Trump and former President Biden as a win for American jobs, has paused construction following the raid. South Korean officials expressed concerns about their citizens' treatment and the impact on economic partnerships, while the Trump administration defended the enforcement action as necessary. No criminal charges have yet been filed, and detainees remain in custody amid ongoing investigations.