Lead
On Sept. 4–5, 2025, U.S. immigration agents carried out a large operation at the Hyundai–LG battery construction site in Ellabell, Georgia, where U.S. authorities say they detained many undocumented workers — a move that prompted South Korea to express concern to the U.S. Embassy.
Key Takeaways
- ICE and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led an operation at the Hyundai Motor Group/ LG Energy Solution battery construction site in Ellabell, Bryan County, Ga.
- South Korean officials said “many” of their nationals were detained and raised concerns with the U.S. Embassy.
- Law enforcement confirmed arrests tied to alleged unlawful employment practices; exact arrest totals remain unclear.
- Video shared on social media and verified by NBC showed agents searching the site and questioning workers about citizenship.
- The Ellabell campus is a high-profile facility about 28 miles west of Savannah employing roughly 1,400 people; construction was paused to assist investigators.
- Local reports described a heavy law enforcement presence, including buses and military-style vehicles at the scene.
- Hyundai and the joint venture said they are cooperating with authorities and committed to following labor and immigration laws.
Verified Facts
Federal agencies involved in the operation included U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which said the raid related to an inquiry into alleged unlawful employment practices and other federal crimes. Steven Schrank, HSI’s special agent in charge in Georgia, told reporters the alleged violations were occurring at the multi-hundred-acre construction site shared by Hyundai and LG Energy Solution.
Video footage posted on social media and verified by NBC News shows HSI agents inside the Ellabell construction area, including scenes in which workers were asked about citizenship and directed to stop work while agents executed what one officer described as a sitewide search warrant.
Local reporting and eyewitness accounts described a large presence of law enforcement vehicles and buses entering the site; WSAV cited sightings of hundreds of undercover vehicles and Humvees. Company spokespeople for Hyundai and HL-GA Battery Co. (the joint venture) confirmed cooperation with authorities and that construction was paused to facilitate the investigation.
Context & Impact
Ellabell is home to one of Georgia’s larger manufacturing campuses; the nearby vehicle production facility employs about 1,400 people and sits approximately 28 miles west of Savannah. The battery plant under construction is part of broader investment ties between South Korean manufacturers and the U.S.
South Korea is a major investor in U.S. manufacturing. Seoul announced a $350 billion pledge of U.S. investment in July 2025 and some South Korean firms — including Hyundai — have publicly announced multibillion-dollar U.S. expansion plans. Hyundai said in March it planned $21 billion in U.S. onshoring from 2025–2028, later raising that figure to $26 billion; those projects are intended to create thousands of U.S. jobs.
From a policy perspective, large enforcement actions at high-profile foreign-owned sites can strain diplomatic relations and complicate investment planning. South Korea’s foreign ministry framed the detentions as a rights and economic-activity concern and conveyed regret to the U.S. Embassy, underscoring the political sensitivity.
Official Statements
“The economic activities of our companies investing in the U.S. and the rights and interests of our nationals must not be unfairly violated.”
Lee Jae-woong, South Korean foreign ministry spokesperson (reported by Yonhap)
“We are cooperating with law enforcement and are committed to abiding by all labor and immigration regulations.”
Michael Stewart, Hyundai spokesperson
“This investigation is focused on ensuring accountability for those who violate the law and upholding the rule of law.”
ICE spokesperson
Explainer: Agencies and Allegations
Unconfirmed
- Exact number and nationalities of people taken into custody have not been publicly released by federal authorities.
- Specific charges or case details underlying the investigation have not been disclosed; officials described it broadly as involving unlawful employment practices and other federal crimes.
- Whether any formal charges have been filed in federal court was not confirmed at the time of reporting.
Bottom Line
The ICE operation at the Hyundai–LG battery construction site in Ellabell has drawn diplomatic attention from Seoul and raised questions about labor compliance and oversight at major foreign-owned facilities in the U.S. Investigators say the inquiry will continue; South Korean officials say they will press for protection of their nationals’ rights while companies and authorities work through the legal process.