In the largest-ever Homeland Security enforcement operation, U.S. agents stormed Hyundai’s under-construction battery plant in Georgia, detaining 475 workers—mostly South Koreans—igniting a diplomatic firestorm between Washington and Seoul.
The United States unleashed its biggest workplace raid in history on September 4, when federal agents detained nearly 475 workers at a Hyundai Motor battery facility under construction in Georgia. The dramatic sweep underscores President Donald Trump’s pledge to carry out the largest deportation drive in U.S. history, a policy shaking both the U.S. economy and foreign allies.
“Largest Single-Site Operation Ever”
Steven Schrank, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agent in Atlanta, said the action stemmed from a criminal probe into unlawful employment practices and serious federal crimes.
“This was the largest single-site enforcement operation in HSI history,” Schrank declared, stressing that those detained were “illegally present in the United States” and “working unlawfully.” He confirmed that a majority of the 475 were South Korean nationals.
The crackdown, Schrank said, sent a “clear and unequivocal message” to companies and workers alike: exploit the system, and you will be held accountable.
Seoul Pushes Back
South Korea reacted sharply. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong warned Washington not to “unjustly infringe” upon the rights of South Korean nationals during U.S. law enforcement actions. He called the number of detained South Koreans “large,” but declined to specify figures.
The incident comes just weeks after Seoul pledged a massive $350 billion investment in the United States to expand industrial cooperation and avoid Trump’s steep tariff regime.
Hyundai & LG Distance Themselves
Hyundai, which recently opened a $7.6 billion EV plant in Georgia employing 1,200 workers, rushed to clarify. In a statement, the company said it was “closely monitoring” developments and stressed that “none of those detained is directly employed by Hyundai Motor Company.”
Partner LG Energy Solution, which is building a nearby battery factory with Hyundai, echoed the sentiment, pledging “full cooperation” with U.S. authorities.
A Test of U.S.-Korea Ties
The raid puts Trump’s hardline immigration drive on a collision course with America’s allies. South Korean companies—vital to global supply chains in automotive and electronics—have invested billions in U.S. factories to secure access to the American market.
But now, instead of trade deals and investment ceremonies, the headlines are about raids, arrests, and deportation threats.
For Washington, it is a message of zero tolerance. For Seoul, it feels like a breach of trust. For global markets, it raises the specter of instability in the EV and battery supply chain—just as competition with China heats up.
