In a dramatic turn of events that has sent ripples through diplomatic and business circles alike, South Korea and the United States have reached an agreement to repatriate hundreds of South Korean nationals detained during a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai–LG electric vehicle battery plant construction site in Ellabell, Georgia. The operation, which unfolded on September 4, 2025, is now being described by U.S. officials as the largest single-site enforcement action in the history of the Department of Homeland Security, underscoring the mounting tension between immigration enforcement and the global ambitions of major manufacturers.
The raid, led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in coordination with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), resulted in the arrest of 475 individuals. Of these, more than 300 were South Korean nationals, according to South Korea's foreign ministry. The detainees were alleged to have been working illegally or without proper authorization at the site, which is one of the largest foreign investment projects in Georgia and a key pillar of Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution’s expansion in the United States.
Video footage released by ICE painted a stark picture: Asian workers, some wearing yellow vests emblazoned with the names "Hyundai" and "LG CNS," were seen shackled in front of the facility. The images quickly circulated in South Korean media, where the Dong-A Ilbo newspaper warned the incident could have "a chilling effect on the activities of our businesses in the United States." South Korean officials, caught off guard by the scale and timing of the raid, moved swiftly to negotiate the release of their citizens. By September 7, 2025, South Korea’s government announced it had concluded talks with Washington, and a chartered plane would be dispatched to bring the detainees home as soon as administrative procedures were finalized.
"We will not let our guard down until we have our people safely back home," Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, told senior officials, according to reporting by The New York Times. The South Korean government also pledged to review and improve its visa system, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future. Kang emphasized the need for better oversight, stating that authorities were "trying to improve the visa system to prevent such incidents in the future."
The Hyundai–LG battery plant, located in Ellabell, Georgia, has been touted by state officials as the biggest economic development project in Georgia’s history, expected to employ 1,200 people and cement the region’s role in the burgeoning electric vehicle industry. The raid, however, halted construction and raised uncomfortable questions about how multinational investments are staffed at a time when U.S. immigration rules are tightening and enforcement is becoming more aggressive.
According to Newsweek, the operation followed a months-long investigation into alleged illegal hiring practices at the site. U.S. prosecutors, citing court records, noted that the investigation had yet to determine which company or contractor was responsible for hiring "hundreds of illegal aliens." Steven Schrank, the HSI special agent in charge for Georgia and Alabama, explained, "This operation underscores our commitment to protecting jobs for Georgians and Americans…We are sending a clear and unequivocal message that those who exploit our workforce, undermine our economy and violate federal laws will be held accountable."
Some of the detained workers had entered the United States unlawfully, while others had arrived on temporary visas or through the U.S. visa waiver program, which does not permit employment. Attorney Charles Kuck, who represents two of the detained workers, told the Associated Press that his clients had arrived legally for tourism or business—one had been in the U.S. for just two weeks, the other for 45 days—and both had planned to return home soon. "Once citizens have identified themselves, we have no authority" to detain them, ICE spokesperson Lindsay Williams told the AP, clarifying that some individuals were held due to prior criminal records.
Hyundai Motor Company, in a statement shared with Newsweek, said, "We are closely monitoring the situation and working to understand the specific circumstances…it is our understanding that none of those detained is directly employed by Hyundai Motor Company." The company added that it is reviewing its practices to ensure legal compliance by contractors and subcontractors. LG Energy Solution, which operates the plant jointly with Hyundai, reported that 47 of its employees and about 250 workers for contractors at the site were among those detained. In response, LG Energy Solution announced it is suspending most business trips to the U.S. and directing employees currently on assignment in the country to return home immediately.
The White House, for its part, defended the operation. President Donald Trump, addressing concerns that the raid might deter foreign investment, was blunt: "They were illegal aliens and ICE was just doing its job." ICE echoed this sentiment, stating, "People on short-term or recreational visas are not authorized to work in the US," and that the raid was necessary to protect American jobs. The agency emphasized, "This operation sends a clear message that those who exploit the system and undermine our workforce will be held accountable."
South Korea’s response has been measured but firm. The government has pledged tens of billions of dollars in American manufacturing investment, partly to offset tariffs, and the incident comes at a sensitive moment as the two nations continue trade talks. The South Korean government is now reviewing visa procedures for business trips tied to large investment projects, with the goal of preventing any recurrence. "We are working closely with U.S. authorities to ensure the safe and prompt return of our nationals and to review the processes that led to this incident," a senior South Korean official told local media.
Meanwhile, the nonprofit legal advocacy group Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta weighed in, stating, "Our communities know the workers targeted at Hyundai are everyday people who are trying to feed their families, build stronger communities, and work toward a better future." The organization’s remarks reflect a broader debate about the human impact of immigration enforcement, especially when it intersects with high-profile international business ventures.
As of Sunday, the arrested workers remain held at an ICE facility in Folkston, Georgia, awaiting repatriation. The incident has cast a long shadow over what was meant to be a showcase of international cooperation and economic development. Both governments now face the challenge of balancing the imperatives of law enforcement, economic growth, and the welfare of workers caught between two systems.
With construction paused and diplomatic nerves frayed, the Hyundai–LG battery plant saga serves as a stark reminder of the complexities—and the stakes—of global investment in an era of shifting immigration policy. The world will be watching closely as the detainees return home and both nations reckon with the lessons of this unprecedented raid.