ICE Raid at Hyundai-LG Plant Raises Diplomatic Tensions

On September 4, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a significant enforcement operation at the construction site of a Hyundai and LG Energy Solution battery plant in Ellabell, Georgia. The raid resulted in the detention of approximately 475 workers, predominantly South Korean nationals, for alleged immigration violations. This action has led to construction delays, diplomatic tensions between the United States and South Korea, and raised questions about the future of foreign investment in U.S. manufacturing.

The Hyundai-LG Energy Solution battery plant is a key component of Hyundai's $7.6 billion investment in electric vehicle manufacturing in the United States. The facility is intended to produce batteries for Hyundai's electric vehicles, supporting the company's expansion into the U.S. market. Construction was nearing completion, with the plant's opening initially scheduled for early 2026.

The ICE operation, named "Operation Low Voltage," involved agents from multiple federal and state agencies. Authorities detained approximately 475 workers, citing unauthorized employment and visa violations. This marks the largest single-site enforcement action in the history of Homeland Security Investigations. The detained individuals were primarily South Korean nationals employed by subcontractors involved in the plant's construction.

Hyundai CEO José Muñoz addressed the impact of the raid on the plant's construction timeline. "This is going to give us minimum two to three months delay, because now all these people want to get back," Muñoz stated. "Then you need to see how can you fill those positions. And for the most part, those people are not in the U.S." The delay is attributed to a shortage of specialized labor required for the plant's commissioning phase.

The incident has strained diplomatic relations between the United States and South Korea. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed concerns over the treatment of their nationals and called for reforms in the U.S. visa system to facilitate the deployment of skilled workers for such projects. "It's not like these are long-term workers," Lee stated. "When you build a factory or install equipment at a factory, you need technicians, but the United States doesn't have that workforce and yet they won't issue visas to let our people stay and do the work."

In response to the raid and its aftermath, Hyundai announced plans to invest an additional $2.7 billion to expand the Georgia plant. This investment aims to increase production capacity and reinforce Hyundai's commitment to U.S. operations. The company emphasized its dedication to adhering to U.S. laws and regulations while continuing to invest in American manufacturing.

The ICE raid at the Hyundai-LG battery plant underscores the complexities of immigration enforcement, foreign investment, and international labor relations in the context of large-scale industrial projects. It highlights the need for clear policies that support foreign investment while ensuring compliance with U.S. labor and immigration laws. As the situation develops, stakeholders will be closely monitoring the implications for future foreign direct investment and the operational dynamics of multinational corporations in the United States.