475 Detained in Georgia Hyundai Facility Immigration Raid, South Korea Demands Rights Safeguard

Bryan County, Georgia – A large-scale immigration raid at a Hyundai electric vehicle manufacturing site in Bryan County, Georgia, on Thursday, September 4, 2025, resulted in the detention of 475 individuals, predominantly South Korean nationals. This significant enforcement action has prompted an immediate and strong response from the South Korean government, which has called upon the United States to safeguard the rights of its citizens.

"South Korea said the US must safeguard its citizens' rights, after 'many' South Korean nationals were detained in an immigration raid at a US Hyundai facility," Reuters reported, highlighting the diplomatic concern. The operation, described by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) as the "largest single site enforcement operation" in its two-decade history, targeted the Hyundai Motor Group's EV plant and an adjacent battery plant under construction, a joint venture with LG Energy Solution.

Steven Schrank, the lead Georgia agent for HSI, confirmed that the raid stemmed from a monthslong investigation into allegations of illegal hiring at the sprawling manufacturing site. While some detained workers were found to have illegally crossed the U.S. border, others had entered legally but were in violation of their visa terms, such as expired visas or working on a visa waiver prohibiting employment.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry expressed "concern and regret" over the operation, with spokesperson Lee Jaewoong stating, "The business activities of our investors and the rights of our nationals must not be unjustly infringed in the process of U.S. law enforcement." The ministry is dispatching diplomats to the site and plans to form an on-site response team to assist its citizens.

Hyundai Motor Company stated that none of its direct employees were detained, and it is reviewing its practices to ensure suppliers and subcontractors comply with U.S. employment laws, asserting a "zero tolerance for those who don't follow the law." The majority of those detained were taken to an immigration detention center in Folkston, Georgia, though no criminal charges have been filed yet.

The incident underscores the broader impact of intensified immigration enforcement on large-scale economic development projects and international relations. The rarity of South Korean nationals being caught in such large numbers in U.S. immigration raids further amplifies the significance of this event, drawing considerable attention from both governments and the affected communities.