September 4, 2025
ICE detains about 475 workers at Hyundai–LG battery site in Georgia amid diplomatic protest
Corporate immunity meets diplomatic blowback in immigration crackdown
🛂Immigration🌍Foreign Policy👷Labor
HSI and ICE detained approximately 475 people at the Hyundai–LG battery construction site on Sept. 4, 2025, in Ellabell, Georgia.
More than 300 detainees were South Korean nationals; many others were from Mexico, China, Japan and Indonesia.
Officials said the detained people included visa overstays, alleged unauthorized workers and some who entered without authorization; investigators flagged misuse of short‑term business entries in several cases.
On Jul. 31, 2025 President Trump announced a deal saying South Korea would invest $350 billion in U.S. projects and purchase $100 billion in U.S. energy. Reuters and others reported that Seoul had not yet detailed or fully confirmed the terms.
South Korea arranged transport and consular assistance to repatriate hundreds of detained nationals; reporting cites a Korean Air charter flight and government coordination.
Hyundai said none of the detainees were directly employed by the company and that contractors handled the workers. Investigators executed judicial warrants seeking records tied to alleged concealment or harboring of unauthorized workers.
🛂Immigration🌍Foreign Policy👷Labor
Test Your Knowledge
10
Q1
Only 12 of 130 subcontractors were Georgia-based, frustrating local unions. How do foreign investment projects affect local employment?
Q2
Branum used a Spanish-speaking union worker as her informant at the Hyundai site. How did labor disputes become immigration enforcement?
Q3
Three workers died during construction at the Hyundai site before Branum contacted ICE. Why did she focus on immigration rather than workplace safety?
Q4
The raid targeted EV battery technology essential for competing with China. How does immigration enforcement affect critical technology development?
Q5
After taking credit for the raid, Branum posted a photo of herself in bed with an AR-15 rifle, saying 'I'm kinda curious what that was you said in my inbox.' Why did she respond this way to critics?
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Steven Schrank
HSI special agent in charge, Atlanta
Lee Jae‑myung
President of South Korea
Brian Kemp
Governor of Georgia