US Detains 475 Mostly South Korean Workers at Hyundai Georgia Construction Site

U.S. immigration authorities conducted the largest single-site enforcement operation in Homeland Security Investigations history by detaining 475 people, many of whom were South Korean nationals, at Hyundai Motor Group's electric vehicle battery plant construction site in Georgia. The raid, part of a multi-month investigation dubbed Operation Low Voltage, targeted illegal employment practices, uncovering workers who either crossed the border illegally, overstayed visas, or were prohibited from working under visa waivers. This facility, a joint venture between Hyundai and LG Energy Solution, was touted as one of Georgia's largest economic development projects, promising thousands of jobs for Americans. Authorities emphasized their commitment to protecting jobs for Georgians and Americans and enforcing federal immigration laws, with detainees being transferred to ICE detention centers. Hyundai and its affiliated contractors have paused construction and are cooperating with the investigation. The raid drew attention from both U.S. officials and the South Korean government, highlighting concerns over the large number of detained Korean nationals.