Federal immigration enforcement action results in massive arrests: 475 individuals detained at a Hyundai manufacturing facility in Georgia over the course of several months
In a surprising turn of events, a multi-agency raid at a Hyundai manufacturing plant in a southeast Georgia community marked a significant milestone in the current Trump administration's immigration crackdown. The operation, one of the most extensive immigration raids in recent US history, resulted in 475 arrests, primarily Korean nationals.
The coordination of the tactical investigation leading to the raid on the Hyundai production facility in Ellabell, Georgia, was led by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The raid was part of an ongoing criminal investigation into "allegations of unlawful employment practices and other serious federal crimes."
The state of Georgia and Hyundai have an agreement to build Hyundai’s first dedicated fully electrified vehicle and battery manufacturing facilities in the United States. The Hyundai Metaplant, spanning 2,900 acres, has two parts: a Hyundai electric vehicle manufacturing site, and an EV battery plant which is a joint venture between Hyundai and LG. The plant was projected to employ up to 8,500 people when complete. However, the raid has temporarily halted the construction of the EV battery plant.
According to Hyundai Motor Company, they are reviewing their processes to ensure legal compliance by contractors and subcontractors. The company has zero tolerance for those who don't follow the law.
During the raid, federal agents rounded up workers and asked for their Social Security number, date of birth, and other identifying information. Some workers attempted to flee, with some running to a sewage pond and others hiding in air ducts. Agents even used a boat to fish out workers who had fled into a sewage pond on the premises. All 475 people taken into custody were illegally in the US.
Georgia immigration attorney Charles Kuck represented two clients who were detained at the raid, both of whom were engineers and arrived in the US under a visa waiver program. The clients were authorized to work in the US under the visa waiver and were planning to return to South Korea shortly.
The raid was a pivotal day, marking the largest sweep yet in the current Trump administration's immigration crackdown at US worksites. The raid involved multiple federal and state agencies, including ICE, Homeland Security Investigations, the Georgia Department of Public Safety, the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General, the FBI, DEA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the IRS, and the Georgia State Patrol.
As the investigation continues, Hyundai is working to address the issues raised and ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. The future of the Hyundai Metaplant remains uncertain, but the company remains committed to its plans for the facility.
Read also:
- Understanding Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis: Key Facts
- Stopping Osteoporosis Treatment: Timeline Considerations
- Tobacco industry's suggested changes on a legislative modification are disregarded by health journalists
- Expanded Community Health Involvement by CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, Maintained Through Consistent Outreach Programs Across Rajasthan
