One top US ally is furious.
A massive immigration raid at a Hyundai electric car battery plant in Georgia has ignited a diplomatic firestorm with one of America’s top allies — even as President Trump’s administration sends a strong message to businesses hiring illegal immigrants and undermining American workers.
On Thursday, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) announced the arrest of 475 illegal migrants during a large-scale operation at the Hyundai–LG Energy Solution construction site in Ellabell, Georgia, about 20 miles outside Savannah. The facility is part of a $4.3 to $7.6 billion investment, the largest industrial project in Georgia’s history, designed to supply batteries for Hyundai’s nearby electric vehicle plant.
Cracking Down on Illegal Labor
HSI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Steven Schrank emphasized that the Trump administration is serious about protecting U.S. jobs and enforcing immigration laws.
“We are delivering a strong and unmistakable message that anyone who takes advantage of workers, harms our economy, or breaks federal laws will face serious consequences,” Schrank stated at a Friday press conference.
While the raid took place at a Hyundai facility, many of those arrested worked for subcontractors, not Hyundai directly. Federal authorities confirmed the operation was part of a wider investigation into unlawful employment practices and serious federal crimes.
The raid involved a massive coalition of agencies, including ICE, the FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS, Customs and Border Protection, and the Georgia State Patrol, which shut down access roads as agents moved in.
South Korea Pushes Back Hard
The enforcement action drew immediate backlash from South Korea, which recently committed $350 billion in U.S. investments under a Trump administration trade deal.
South Korea’s foreign ministry issued a sharp statement expressing “concern and regret” over the raid and sent embassy officials to the site to investigate.
“Our businesses and citizens must not have their rights or economic activities unfairly harmed during U.S. law enforcement actions,” ministry spokesman Lee Jae-woong said, according to the Financial Times.
The diplomatic dust-up comes at a sensitive moment as Trump continues to renegotiate trade relationships to benefit American workers and industries.
Work Stopped as Investigation Deepens
Video from the scene showed dozens of construction workers lined up in yellow safety vests as a masked federal agent announced:
“We’re Homeland Security. We have a search warrant for the whole site. We need construction to cease immediately.”
Federal officials confirmed that all construction at the sprawling 3,000-acre site has been halted indefinitely. However, production at the adjacent electric vehicle facility has not been disrupted.
The Department of Homeland Security released a statement underscoring its commitment to law and order:
“This action highlights our dedication to defending jobs for Georgia workers, creating fair competition for businesses that follow the law, and preserving the strength and stability of our economy,” DHS stated.
Hyundai and LG Try to Distance Themselves
Hyundai quickly clarified that none of its direct employees were detained.
“As of now, we believe that none of the individuals taken into custody are direct employees of Hyundai Motor Company,” the company said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
LG Energy Solution also issued a statement, promising to fully cooperate with investigators while prioritizing worker safety.
Despite the controversy, LG confirmed that the plant remains scheduled to begin operations by year’s end, although delays are possible due to the investigation.
Why This Matters
This high-profile raid highlights the Trump administration’s aggressive approach to illegal immigration, corporate accountability, and job protection. With nearly half a thousand arrests in one day, it stands as one of the largest single-site workplace raids in U.S. history.
It also exposes the tensions between Trump’s “America First” policies and global corporations seeking to benefit from U.S. markets while relying on cheap, illegal labor.
For millions of Americans worried about border security and job losses, this raid sends a loud and clear message: President Trump is serious about defending U.S. sovereignty and putting American workers first.
