US Raid on Hyundai Plant Leaves 475 Workers Arrested
A Hyundai manufacturing plant in rural southeast Georgia became the site of one of the largest immigration raids in recent US history. On Thursday, federal agents stormed the facility under construction in Ellabell, about 25 miles west of Savannah. By dusk, 475 workers were in custody, most of them Korean nationals.
The raid was the result of a months-long criminal probe by multiple agencies, including Homeland Security, ICE, the FBI, and Georgia State Patrol. Authorities described the operation as “meticulously coordinated,” aiming to target unlawful employment and visa violations.
Chaos at the Hyundai Plant
Eyewitnesses described the raid as chaotic, with scenes resembling a “war zone.” Armed and masked agents ordered workers to line up against the walls while their immigration status was checked. Some were cleared to leave, while many others were handcuffed and transported to the Folkston ICE Processing Centre.
“They told us to get on the wall and wait,” one worker told CNN. “We stood there for about an hour before being taken to another section for processing.”
Panic swept across the construction site. Several workers attempted to escape, hiding in air ducts or plunging into a nearby sewage pond. Homeland Security said some had to be pulled out of the water by agents using a boat. In one instance, a worker swam under the vessel and attempted to flip it over, but failed.
“Everyone started running when they heard immigration had arrived,” another man recalled. “We hid in an air duct. It was very hot and terrifying.”
Majority of Those Arrested Were Korean Nationals
Federal officials confirmed that most of the detained individuals were Korean nationals. Many had overstayed visas, violated visa waiver programs, or entered the US illegally. Homeland Security said the arrests included both undocumented workers and those working in violation of immigration laws.
The scale of the arrests prompted swift diplomatic action from South Korea. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun announced that President Lee Jae Myung had instructed the government to take “all-out necessary measures” to support affected citizens. Cho also signaled that he was prepared to travel to Washington, DC, to negotiate directly with US officials over the matter.
Federal Crackdown on Illegal Employment
Authorities emphasized that the raid was not a random sweep but the culmination of months of investigation. The Hyundai site had been under surveillance due to alleged unlawful hiring practices.
“This was a meticulously coordinated criminal investigation,” said Steven Schrank, Homeland Security Investigations’ special agent in charge. “Together, we are sending a clear and unequivocal message: those who exploit workers, undermine the economy, and violate federal laws will be held accountable.”
The operation also involved the FBI, DEA, IRS, and state law enforcement agencies. Officials said the arrests highlight the Trump administration’s intensified efforts to crack down on illegal employment across the United States.
Broader Implications for Hyundai and US-South Korea Relations
The raid has cast a shadow over Hyundai’s massive battery plant project in Georgia, which was expected to play a key role in the US electric vehicle supply chain. The company has not yet issued a formal statement on the incident but is likely to face scrutiny over its contractors’ hiring practices.
Diplomatic analysts warn the arrests could complicate US-South Korea relations. The large number of Korean nationals involved has already triggered concern in Seoul, with officials pressing Washington for clarity and assurances about the treatment of detainees.
As the investigation unfolds, the Hyundai case may become a test of both immigration enforcement policies and the balance between economic cooperation and legal compliance.