Work at Hyundai Motor's new battery facility in Georgia came to an abrupt halt after a large-scale US immigration enforcement operation led to the detention of up to 450 workers at the construction site. The raid, conducted by multiple federal agencies, underscores the tension between immigration policy and major economic projects.
During a Thursday news briefing, Steven Schrank, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia, confirmed that "arrests are being made" as part of a "judicially authorised enforcement operation" into unlawful employment practices. A Korean news outlet reported that around 30 South Korean nationals were among those detained.
The paused project is a joint venture between Hyundai Motor and South Korean battery maker LG Energy Solution (LGES). Due to start operations by the end of this year, the plant is set to be one of the biggest investments in Georgia, aiming to strengthen the US electric vehicle supply chain.
In a brief statement, representatives of the Hyundai–GA battery company said they are "cooperating fully with the appropriate authorities regarding activity at our construction site" and have paused work to assist the investigation.
Under the Trump administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has ramped up efforts to crack down on undocumented workers, creating ripple effects for businesses relying on migrant labor. For global investors and entrepreneurs, the Georgia raid highlights how shifts in policy can quickly disrupt large-scale manufacturing plans.
For young global citizens, business leaders and tech enthusiasts tracking the future of clean energy, this incident is a reminder that the success of sustainable initiatives often hinges on complex intersections of policy, labor and international collaboration.
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Work paused at Hyundai's U.S. site after workers detained in raid
cgtn.com
