Ellabell, Georgia September 6(HS): In the largest single-site immigration enforcement operation in U.S. history, federal authorities detained approximately 475 individuals at Hyundai Motor Group’s electric vehicle manufacturing complex in Ellabell, Georgia. The raid, executed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations under a judicial search warrant, followed months of investigation into alleged unlawful employment practices and visa violations involving workers at the facility and associated sites including the adjacent battery plant construction project.

Most detainees were Korean nationals, with others from several countries, many suspected of working unlawfully in the U.S. The detained workers were reportedly contractors or subcontractors rather than direct employees of Hyundai. South Korea expressed formal concern about the treatment of its citizens and dispatched diplomats to liaise with U.S. officials, urging respect for their rights during the investigation.

Hyundai stated that the labor disruptions had not impacted ongoing vehicle production, but its partner LG Energy Solutions temporarily suspended battery plant construction. Georgia’s governor highlighted the facility as a key economic development, projecting thousands of jobs and billions in investment. The operation exposes tensions between immigration enforcement policies and U.S. industrial growth goals, as President Trump emphasized the need to secure jobs for Americans by addressing illegal immigration while continuing to foster foreign investment.

Federal authorities said no criminal charges had been filed yet, and the investigation remains active. The raid drew attention for its scale and potential implications for multinational corporations operating in the U.S., as well as diplomatic ties between Washington and Seoul.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar