— U.S. immigration authorities detained 475 people, most of them South Korean nationals, on Thursday at the construction site for an electric-vehicle battery plant in Ellabell, Georgia, near Savannah; the operation halted work at the Hyundai–LG battery project and triggered concern from Seoul.
Key Takeaways
- Federal agents arrested 475 people at the HL-GA battery construction site in Ellabell, Ga., in what officials called the largest single-location Homeland Security enforcement action.
- Most detainees were identified as South Korean citizens; some U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents were initially held and later released.
- The site is a joint Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution project, part of a larger $7.6 billion Hyundai electric-vehicle complex in Georgia.
- Authorities said those arrested were in the U.S. illegally or working without authorization; investigators are reviewing employment arrangements, including subcontractor roles.
- Detentions paused construction as consular staff from South Korea were dispatched to the scene to assist nationals.
- Agencies involved included the Department of Homeland Security, ICE, the FBI and ATF’s Atlanta division.
- Officials reported minor medical incidents: one detained person treated for overheating and one agent with a minor laceration.
Verified Facts
Homeland Security investigators said agents arrested 475 people at the battery construction site on Thursday; authorities characterized the sweep as the largest enforcement action at a single location in the agency’s history. The operation was conducted at the HL-GA Battery Company site in Ellabell, part of a multi-site Hyundai electric-vehicle manufacturing complex in Georgia.
Officials stated that the majority of those taken into custody were South Korean citizens. The Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement assessed that the detained workers were either present in the United States without legal authorization or were working unlawfully. Some individuals who were U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents were initially detained and later released, officials said.
LG Energy Solution, a co-owner of the battery project, confirmed employees connected to both LG and Hyundai were among those detained and said it was coordinating with South Korean authorities. Hyundai said it believed none of the detained people were direct Hyundai employees and that the company was seeking more information.
Authorities held most detainees overnight at the Folkston detention facility; decisions on further transfers or releases will be made on a case-by-case basis. Law enforcement agencies reported no major injuries on scene beyond the two minor incidents previously noted.
Context & Impact
The raid comes after high-profile diplomatic engagement: South Korea’s president visited the White House about a week earlier and pledged additional investment in the United States, including commitments tied to battery manufacturing. The HL-GA site predates that pledge and was scheduled to begin operations next year.
Georgia officials have described the broader Hyundai EV campus as the state’s largest economic development project, a $7.6 billion investment expected to create many jobs. The enforcement action interrupted construction activity at the battery plant and could affect timelines for hiring, project milestones and local supply chains.
- Economic: Short-term delays to construction schedules and contractor work streams are likely.
- Diplomatic: Seoul has signaled concern and dispatched consular staff to assist detained nationals.
- Regulatory: The incident highlights federal scrutiny of worksite compliance and the role of subcontracting in large projects.
“This operation underscores our commitment to protecting jobs for Georgians and Americans, ensuring a level playing field for businesses that comply with the law,”
Steven Schrank, Special Agent in Charge, HSI Georgia
Unconfirmed
- The precise number of South Korean nationals among the 475 detainees has not been publicly confirmed by U.S. officials; Seoul confirmed that South Koreans were detained but gave no figure.
- Full employment relationships — which detained workers were direct hires versus subcontractor employees — remain under investigation.
- Potential administrative or criminal charges had not been announced publicly at the time of reporting.
Bottom Line
The enforcement action at the Ellabell battery construction site has immediate local and diplomatic consequences: it stopped work at a major investment project and prompted intervention by South Korean consular officials. As agencies and employers sort through records and individual cases, the operation could reshape hiring practices, subcontractor oversight and bilateral discussions on labor protections and investment.