US immigration authorities recently executed a significant operation at a massive Hyundai manufacturing site located in Georgia, resulting in the arrest of over 450 individuals. This extensive 3,000-acre facility, designed by the South Korean automobile giant to produce electric vehicles, has been in operation for approximately one year.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed to CBS News, a partner of the BBC in the United States, that agents conducted this operation based on allegations of unlawful employment practices and other serious federal crimes. Among those detained were several Korean nationals, prompting a response from the South Korean foreign ministry, which labeled the actions as an unjust infringement of their rights.
The Atlanta office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives announced via a post on X that they collaborated with multiple agencies, including ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), to apprehend 450 individuals identified as unlawful aliens working at the Hyundai plant in Bryan County. However, the exact number of South Koreans detained remains unclear.
The South Korean foreign ministry expressed its concerns, emphasizing that the economic activities of Korean investment companies and the rights of Korean citizens should not be compromised during US law enforcement operations. They have dispatched diplomats to the scene to monitor the situation. In addition, the ministry communicated its regrets and concerns through the US Embassy in Korea, urging American authorities to exercise extreme caution to protect the legitimate rights and interests of its citizens.
South Korean companies have pledged to invest billions of dollars in critical US industries in the upcoming years, in part to circumvent tariffs. This operation comes at a time when Hyundai's electric vehicle initiative was celebrated by Georgia's Governor, Republican Brian Kemp, as the most significant economic development project in the state's history, creating approximately 1,200 jobs.
According to CBS News, the federal agencies' search also resulted in the suspension of construction on a nearby battery plant, further complicating the situation for Hyundai's operations in the region. The background of this crackdown resonates with former President Trump's campaign promises during his bid for a second term, where he vowed to prioritize mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, particularly those with criminal backgrounds.
As this situation unfolds, the implications for both US immigration policy and South Korean investments in America remain to be seen, with many stakeholders closely monitoring developments at the Hyundai manufacturing site.
