Federal Raid at Georgia Hyundai Site Detains 450, Halts EV Battery Plant Construction Amid Probe
Federal Raid at Georgia Hyundai Site Detains 450, Halts EV Battery Plant Construction Amid Probe
A major federal operation on Thursday at Hyundai’s sprawling electric vehicle manufacturing complex in southeast Georgia led to the apprehension of approximately 450 individuals and a halt in construction at an adjacent EV battery plant. Multiple agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), FBI, DEA, ICE, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), participated in what the Atlanta ATF office described as a significant immigration enforcement operation.
The raid targeted the construction site for a new battery plant, a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution, which is slated to open next year. Authorities executed a search warrant as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into allegations of unlawful employment practices and other serious federal crimes. Video footage from social media showed HSI agents instructing workers to cease all construction activities immediately.
This high-profile operation took place at one of Georgia’s largest economic development projects, a $7.6 billion plant that began manufacturing EVs a year ago and employs around 1,200 people. While construction on the battery plant was paused, Hyundai spokesperson Bianca Johnson confirmed that operations at the main EV manufacturing plant were not interrupted, as production and office hours had already commenced before authorities blocked access.
The South Korean Foreign Ministry has expressed concerns, stating that the economic activities and rights of Korean investment companies and citizens must not be unfairly infringed upon. They have dispatched officials to the site and urged U.S. authorities to exercise extreme caution. HL-GA Battery Company, the joint venture, stated it is fully cooperating with authorities.
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