U.S. immigration agents on Sept. 4, 2025 detained 475 people at the Hyundai–LG electric‑vehicle battery construction site in Ellabell, Georgia, most of them South Korean nationals working for subcontractors or on business trips; the arrests have unsettled Seoul and shaken investor confidence.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. authorities said 475 people were detained at the Ellabell, Ga., construction site for immigration violations.
- Most detainees were South Korean nationals linked to subcontractors or on short‑term business travel.
- LG reported 47 of its employees were among those held; Hyundai said none of its direct employees were detained.
- The raid raises questions about visa compliance and subcontractor oversight at major foreign investments.
- South Korea’s Foreign Ministry issued a formal expression of concern and sent diplomats to the site.
- The incident complicates tense U.S.-South Korea trade and investment talks and may affect future industrial projects.
Verified Facts
U.S. law enforcement officials said they detained 475 people at the construction site for the joint Hyundai–LG battery plant in Ellabell, Georgia, on Sept. 4, 2025. Authorities described the detentions as stemming from unauthorized presence in the United States or unlawful work activity; officials noted some individuals had entered via the visa waiver program and were not permitted to work, others had overstayed visas, and some were alleged to have crossed the border illegally.
Industry sources and company statements indicate the workforce included subcontractor employees and technical teams brought from South Korea to help complete the battery factory. Hyundai and LG have said they are conducting internal inquiries into subcontractor practices; Hyundai stated none of its direct employees were detained, while LG acknowledged 47 of its staff were among those held.
Steven Schrank, a senior special agent with Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia, described a layered network of subcontractors at the site and said the detained individuals worked for a variety of companies on the project. U.S. authorities have not publicly released a detailed breakdown of the legal status of each detainee as of the latest statements.
Context & Impact
The raid arrived during sensitive negotiations between Washington and Seoul over trade and investment commitments. South Korea recently pledged large-scale investments in the U.S., and leaders from both countries have promoted onshoring of advanced manufacturing, including electric‑vehicle supply chains.
Companies such as Hyundai and LG Energy Solution have invested billions to build U.S. factories that are expected to create jobs and secure supply chains. The arrests expose a tension: U.S. policy encouraging foreign direct investment while simultaneously tightening immigration and visa enforcement.
Potential impacts include stricter scrutiny of labor and visa compliance at foreign‑led construction sites, slower project timelines as companies audit subcontractors, and a possible chill on future investments if partners perceive legal or political risks.
Business leaders who accompanied South Korea’s president on a recent visit had announced about $150 billion in additional direct investments in the U.S., complementing an earlier, larger investment framework reportedly tied to tariff adjustments and a $350 billion package discussed with U.S. officials.
The economic activities of our investment companies and the rights and interests of our citizens must not be unjustly violated during U.S. law enforcement proceedings.
South Korea Foreign Ministry
Unconfirmed
- Whether Hyundai or LG management knowingly approved any improper hiring by subcontractors remains under investigation.
- Exact numbers of detainees who crossed the border illegally versus those who overstayed or misused visa waivers have not been publicly released.
- Details on potential criminal charges or the timing of removals, prosecutions, or releases are not yet confirmed.
Bottom Line
The Ellabell raid highlights operational and legal gaps in oversight of large foreign investments in U.S. manufacturing. Companies, governments, and contractors will likely face intensified scrutiny of visa compliance and labor practices, and the episode may become a bargaining point in ongoing U.S.-South Korea trade and investment talks.