South Korea Negotiates Release of Workers Detained in Georgia ICE Raid

Federal and immigration agents arrested 475 people while executing a judicial search warrant at a Hyundai-LG battery plant in Ellabell, Georgia, as part of a criminal investigation into alleged unlawful employment practices. Most of those arrested were South Korean nationals, reportedly “illegally present in the United States or in violation of their presence … working unlawfully,” according to Steven Schrank, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Georgia.

Schrank called it the largest single-site enforcement operation in HSI history, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to jobs for Georgians and Americans.

The operation, which included ICE and other federal agencies, halted construction at the 3,000-acre plant. Videos showed hundreds of workers lined up and questioned about immigration status. Schrank noted the raid followed a multimonth criminal investigation and was not a routine roundup.

The raid heightened concerns about illegal foreign workers in Georgia, particularly in construction and high-tech industries. It also reflects Trump administration directives to escalate ICE operations, targeting undocumented employees—even at major foreign investment projects.

South Korea called the raid an “unjust infringement” on its citizens’ rights and is arranging a charter plane to bring its nationals home once remaining procedures are cleared. Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff to President Lee Jae Myung, said, “We will not let our guard down until we have our people safely back home.” Seoul also plans to review visa policies to prevent similar incidents in the future.

While Hyundai confirmed none of those detained are directly employed by the company, the incident underscores tensions between immigration enforcement, foreign investment, and Georgia’s reliance on international workers for industrial growth.