Today's News: Immigration Raid at Hyundai/LG Plant Results in 475 Arrests
The majority of those arrested were South Korean nationals, many of whom were allegedly in violation of their visa status or working unlawfully.
Photo: Mike Stewart/Associated Press
Overview
Date: September 5, 2025.
Topic: Immigration Raid at Hyundai/LG Battery Plant Construction Site in Georgia.
Summary: A large-scale immigration raid occurred at the Hyundai-LG Energy Solution battery plant construction site in Ellabell, Georgia, resulting in the arrest of 475 individuals. The majority of those arrested were South Korean nationals, many of whom were allegedly in violation of their visa status or working unlawfully. The raid, conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and other federal agencies, caused a halt in construction, prompted concern from the South Korean government, and raised questions about the legality of the workers' employment.
Sources
The New York Times - South Koreans Swept Up in Immigration Raid at Hyundai E.V. Plant in Georgia
NBC News - Hundreds of South Korean nationals detained in largest single-site immigration raid
Fox News - Federal agents arrest hundreds at Hyundai plant construction site in Georgia
The Wall Street Journal - Hundreds Arrested in Immigration Raid at Hyundai Site in Georgia
Chosun Ilbo - U.S. crackdown arrests 475 at Hyundai-LG Georgia battery site
Key Points
A major immigration raid occurred at the Hyundai-LG Energy Solution battery plant construction site in Ellabell, Georgia.
475 people were arrested, most of whom were South Korean nationals.
Those arrested were suspected of being in the United States illegally or working unlawfully.
The raid was part of an ongoing criminal investigation into unlawful employment practices.
The South Korean government expressed concern and requested the U.S. to ensure the rights of its citizens are protected.
Hyundai and LG Energy Solution stated they are monitoring the situation and cooperating with authorities.
The incident may cause diplomatic and economic repercussions between the United States and South Korea.
Construction at the battery plant has been suspended.
Unique Highlights
CNN reported that some individuals tried to flee the scene, including some who ran into a sewage pond and had to be fished out by agents.
CNN and Fox News included video footage from the scene of the raid.
The Wall Street Journal stated that a search warrant was issued on August 31 and that the government filed a motion to unseal a redacted version of the warrant. The Wall Street Journal also included comments from a White House spokeswoman and a professor from Sogang University in Seoul.
Chosun Ilbo notes that not only undocumented immigrants but also a large number of Korean employees holding Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) or B-1 commercial visas for attending meetings or contracts were arrested.
Contrasting Details
While all sources report 475 arrests, The Wall Street Journal and Chosun Ilbo mention a specific number of South Korean nationals (over 300). CNN says the majority are Korean nationals, but did not have a breakdown of the arrestees’ nationalities.
The Wall Street Journal reported that President Trump’s administration did not give Seoul prior notice of the raid, catching the South Korean government officials and Hyundai by surprise.
The Newsie Project uses AI to summarize, compare, and contrast the reporting of the major US and world online news sources.
This is an evolving project. Tools, approaches, and output formats will change over time. The Newsie Project does not attempt to provide a definitive capsule of any news story. While the incidence of errors in these summaries is low, and I attempt to spot-check details, AI tools can hallucinate. Please click through and read the articles for details (some may be paywalled).