Earlier this month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out what officials say was the largest single-site immigration enforcement action in the country’s history.
The raid took place at the Hyundai electric vehicle and battery plant site in Ellabell, Georgia, where hundreds of workers were taken into custody. According to ICE, more than 300 of those detained were South Korean nationals, including technicians and contractors who had been brought in to help with construction and equipment installation.
ICE officials said the operation targeted workers suspected of overstaying visas or working outside the limits of their authorized status. However, reports indicate that some of the individuals detained were legally working in the country.
This has led to calls from South Korean officials for a review of the incident and assurances that the rights of their citizens are being respected.
Hyundai officials have stated that the raid will delay the plant’s scheduled opening by two to three months. The $4.3 billion facility is a key part of the company’s plans to expand electric vehicle production in the United States and was expected to create thousands of jobs in Georgia.
Though, Hyundai is currently working to minimize disruptions and has reaffirmed its commitment to U.S. investment.
According to a release by Hyundai Motor Company, “Phase 2 HMGMA expansion adds production capacity of 200,000 units by 2028, with $2.7 billion investment creating 3,000 new jobs.”
The company is actively planning to create thousands of more jobs to maintain an environment that focuses on the economy of the U.S.
On the other hand, the South Korean government has expressed concern over the scale and handling of the raid. President Lee Jae Myung has said the situation could make Korean companies hesitant about future U.S. investments if visa and labor issues are not clarified. This concern is shared by industry experts.
“The raid has sent a disconcerting message to companies in South Korea and elsewhere,” said Lee Ho-guen, an auto industry expert at Daeduk University, in the Los Angeles Times. “Companies cannot afford to not be more cautious about investing in the U.S. in the future.”
South Korea has been one of the largest sources of foreign direct investment in U.S. manufacturing in recent years, with multiple electric vehicle and battery facilities planned across several states.
U.S. officials have defended the enforcement action, saying it was carried out in accordance with federal immigration law. They have emphasized that companies are responsible for ensuring that foreign workers have the correct visas and work authorization.
At the same time, administration officials have acknowledged that foreign investment is a critical part of U.S. efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing and supply chains, particularly in clean energy sectors.
The incident has drawn attention to the challenges companies face in navigating U.S. visa requirements. These requirements relate to short-term technical and construction workers. Industry groups have said that these workers are often essential for installing specialized equipment and training local employees, and they have called for clearer rules and faster processing times.
The raid has also sparked reactions among students at GCSU.
“Immigrants fear for their lives every day, whether they came here legally or not. We hear stories about people being detained when they did come here legally every day,” said Chloe Melton, a junior history major and Black studies minor. “They just made it legal to racially profile people they think might be illegal immigrants. It is racism and tyranny.”
Melton’s comments point to a larger controversy surrounding immigration authority in the U.S., a subject that has long been debated.
Diplomatic discussions between Washington and Seoul continue, and both governments have indicated that they will work together to prevent similar disruptions in the future. For now, the focus remains on resolving the status of the detained workers and getting construction at the Georgia facility back on schedule.