Immigration crackdown in Georgia nets 475 arrests, according to Homeland Security official

In a significant development, immigration authorities in the United States conducted a raid at a manufacturing site in Georgia where Hyundai produces electric vehicles. The operation resulted in the detainment of 475 individuals, with more than 300 of them being South Korean nationals.

The raid was part of a mass deportation agenda by the Trump administration, which has been undertaking sweeping ICE operations. The operation was the result of a months-long investigation into allegations of illegal hiring at the site. The U.S. Attorney's Office is still unsure who hired the "hundreds of illegal aliens" at the site.

Hyundai Motor Company, in a statement, confirmed that none of its employees had been detained as far as they knew. They plan to review their practices to ensure suppliers and subcontractors follow U.S. employment laws. HL-GA Battery Co., the operator of the plant, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a previous statement, they said they are cooperating fully with the appropriate authorities.

LG Energy Solution, a partner of Hyundai in the battery plant, is closely monitoring the situation and gathering all relevant details. They couldn't immediately confirm how many of their employees or Hyundai workers had been detained.

The search warrant for the raid included requests for employment records, personnel files, payroll information, bank account information, timecards, video and photos of workers, and immigration documents. Social Security cards, visas, passports, and birth certificates were also targeted. The search warrant also requested records about the ownership and management of multiple construction companies and contractors named in the search warrant materials.

The illegal employments at the battery production construction site are linked to subcontractors rather than the main companies themselves. An investigation into the situation is ongoing, with authorities looking into the underlying companies and employment conditions further.

The South Korean government expressed "concern and regret" over the operation targeting its citizens. South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lee Jaewoong said diplomats from the embassy in Washington and consulate in Atlanta are being dispatched to the site.

Immigration authorities have stated that those arrested Thursday who fight deportation may be detained as their cases wind through immigration court. The number of people in ICE custody topped 60,000 in August, an all-time high. An immigration attorney reported that two of his clients, who are South Korean nationals, were detained and had arrived in the U.S. under a visa waiver program.

The Hyundai battery plant, operated by HL-GA Battery Co., is scheduled to open next year. Despite the recent events, Hyundai and LG Energy Solution remain committed to their partnership and the production of electric vehicles in Georgia.

Immigration crackdown in Georgia nets 475 arrests, according to Homeland Security official