In the largest immigration enforcement action of the current Trump administration, federal agents raided the Hyundai Metaplant in Bryan County, Georgia, arresting 475 people suspected of being in the U.S. unlawfully. The majority are Korean nationals, according to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), although an exact nationality breakdown has not been released.
The joint operation, involving HSI, ICE, FBI, DEA, ATF, and Georgia State Patrol, was the result of a months-long criminal investigation into labor violations and immigration fraud at the construction site for Hyundai’s electric vehicle (EV) battery plant — a $5.5 billion joint venture with LG.
Authorities said some individuals arrested had overstayed visas, entered the country illegally, or were working in violation of visa terms. During the raid, several tried to flee — with some jumping into a sewage pond in an attempt to escape. All were detained, with no immediate charges filed.
Most of those arrested are believed to be contractors or subcontractors, not direct Hyundai employees. A Hyundai spokesperson said none of those detained were directly employed by the company and that they are “closely monitoring the situation.”
Construction at the plant has been halted. LG, the joint venture partner, has not clarified how many workers were contractors or direct hires, but said it is cooperating with authorities.
This facility, which spans 2,900 acres and was expected to create 8,500 jobs, has been a signature economic development for Georgia. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who has championed the project, said in a statement that Georgia “will always enforce the law, including all state and federal immigration laws.”
In Seoul, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry expressed concern, stating that “many of our nationals were detained” and urging U.S. authorities to ensure their “rights and interests are not unduly violated.”
Meanwhile, in a separate operation in New York, ICE raided a family-owned nutrition bar manufacturing plant in Cato, detaining dozens of workers — estimated at over 60 people — despite the company’s claims that all workers had proper documentation. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul condemned the raid as “outrageous” and harmful to families.
These coordinated raids come as part of a broader immigration crackdown and signal a ramp-up of worksite enforcement under President Trump’s second term, with local governments and foreign allies reacting strongly to the scale and execution of these operations.
