Massive ICE Raid at Hyundai's Georgia Plant: Hundreds of Workers Detained

Tue Sep 30 2025 10:59:28 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

An unprecedented Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid targeted hundreds of workers at a Hyundai facility in Georgia, highlighting tension in US immigration policy and international investment relations.

In one of the largest workplace immigration raids in US history, ICE detained 475 individuals, primarily South Korean citizens, found working illegally at Hyundai's Georgia plant. Officials stress the need to protect American jobs, while South Korea's government advocates for the rights of its citizens caught in the operation. This incident raises questions about balancing immigration enforcement with international business relations amid ongoing debates over the economy and job security in the US.

The massive operation led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Hyundai’s Georgia plant has drawn significant attention as an estimated 475 workers were arrested for working illegally under visitor visas. The majority of those detained were South Korean nationals, illustrating the complex interplay between immigration laws and international business investments in the US.

ICE defended the raid, asserting that individuals on short-term or recreational visas are not authorized to take work positions, thus asserting the operation was necessary to safeguard American employment. South Korea's government has actively intervened, expressing concern over the status of its citizens and urging that their rights must be respected during US law enforcement actions.

The arrested individuals awaited processing at an ICE facility in Folkston, Georgia, where initial reports indicated that approximately 300 of them were Korean nationals. Hyundai stated that none were directly employed by the company, while the incident has sparked discussions about the broader implications of immigration policy, especially concerning investment from foreign nations. The raid not only raises real concerns about the rights of foreign workers but also risks straining economic relationships at a time when South Korea is looking to invest heavily in US industries.

Amid these developments, President Trump characterized the detainees as 'illegal aliens,' defending ICE's actions. Yet, this raises a dichotomy within the administration's wider goals of attracting international investment while maintaining strict immigration controls. The automotive factory is heralded as a key player in Georgia's economic growth, pledging significant job opportunities while plunging into the contentious landscape of immigration law enforcement.

Legal experts and immigration advocates have voiced troubling concerns about potential violations of rights, with some mistakenly detained despite being in compliance with visa regulations. As the situation unfolds, it highlights the delicate balance needed in the US’s approach to immigration amidst the global economic shifts influenced by major foreign investments.