Work at Hyundai Motor’s $4.3 billion electric vehicle battery facility in Ellabell, Georgia, has come to a standstill after an immigration raid led to the arrest of approximately 475 workers, mostly South Korean nationals. The operation, dubbed “Operation Low Voltage,” is the largest single-site enforcement action in the history of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
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U.S. immigration officials said the workers were barred from employment in the United States due to illegal entry or overstaying their visas. Hyundai confirmed that none of the arrested workers were directly employed by the company. The automaker has appointed its North America chief manufacturing officer, Chris Susock, to oversee the Georgia megasite, promising a full investigation to ensure compliance by all suppliers and subcontractors.
Videos circulating on social media showed Homeland Security agents ordering the immediate cessation of construction. Some individuals reportedly attempted to flee, with authorities noting that a few had to be rescued from a sewage pond on site.
The raid has disrupted Hyundai’s partnership with South Korean battery maker LG Energy Solutions (LGES), which has paused construction while cooperating with authorities. The facility, a joint venture between Hyundai and LGES, was scheduled to start operations by the end of 2025 and will supply batteries for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis EV models.
The arrests occurred amid an intensified U.S. immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has targeted both criminal and non-criminal undocumented migrants. The action risks straining U.S.-South Korea relations, as Hyundai alone had pledged $26 billion under a broader $150 billion trade investment agreement. South Korea’s Foreign Ministry expressed concern, emphasizing the need to protect the economic activities of its companies in the U.S.
Hyundai’s Georgia investment, including its newly opened car factory, is part of a $12.6 billion project considered the largest economic development initiative in the state’s history. Despite the halt at the battery plant, the automaker said production of electric vehicles elsewhere remains unaffected.
Authorities and political figures reacted strongly to the raid. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s office stated that all federal and state immigration laws would be enforced, while the Georgia Democratic Party condemned the action as politically motivated.
Hyundai and LGES shares fell on Friday, dropping 0.7% and 2.3% respectively, reflecting investor concerns over the disruption. The Department of Justice confirmed that the raid involved more than 400 law enforcement officers after months of investigation.
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