Hundreds of people were arrested in an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgie. File Photo by James Atoa/UPI | License Photo
The U.S. government said it arrested hundreds of undocumented workers at the site of a Hyundai battery plant under construction in eastern Georgia.
The Atlanta office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives posted to X Thursday evening that it, working in conjunction with other federal agencies and the Georgia State Police took part “in a major immigration enforcement operation at the Hyundai mega site battery plant in Bryan County, Ga., leading to the apprehension of [about 450] unlawful aliens, emphasizing our commitment to community safety.”
Steven Schrank, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Atlanta, confirmed the joint action in a press conference Thursday and announced that more details would be released Friday.
The plant is operated by the HL-GA Battery Company, a partnership between the South Korea-based Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution companies. Spokesperson Mary Beth Kennedy released a statement that explained the company was “cooperating fully with the appropriate authorities regarding activity at our construction site.”
LG Energy Solution has stated it’s “actively cooperating with the South Korean government and relevant authorities to ensure the safety and swift release of our employees and partner staff.”
An official at Hyundai Motor Group’s Seoul headquarters said that none of its employees have been confirmed to have been detained at this time.
Hyundai spokesperson Bianca Johnson said there was no impact to the plant’s production and that it is “cooperating with law enforcement and are committed to abiding by all labor and immigration regulations.”
The South Korean Foreign Ministry also confirmed that over 450 people were detained at the plant, and a diplomatic source stated that over 300 workers there are South Koreans from the city of Seoul.
The individuals from Seoul at the plant are reportedly in the United States on B1 business visas or under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, visa waiver program.
“The economic activities of our companies investing in the [United States] and the rights and interests of our nationals must not be unfairly violated,” Ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-Woong said in a press briefing.
